1 I I >"! ? t \ 



H 



ONSE GNEUR 



U 1. WHITE 







Class JBX_4rt^_ 

Book MU&M 
Copyright N°_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE LIFE 

OF 



Very Reverend Monseigneur 

WILLIAM J.WHITE 



BY 

The Nursing Sisters of the 
Sick Poor 



3Xrrcs 



Nihil obstat: 

C. Mennis, C.M.,D.D., 

Censor Librorum. 

Imprimatur: 

88 Carlos Eduardus, 

Epis. Brooklyn. 

Brooklyn, N. Y., August 12, 19 13. 



Copyright 1913 

BY 

The Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor 



©CI.A351982 



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INDEX 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. His Birth, Family and Baptism 11 

II. Boyhood 17 

III. First Communion and Effects of 

Grace During Boyhood . 21 

IV. Graduation from St. Patrick's 

Academy 28 

V. College Days 33 

VI. In Rome 37 

VII. Ordination — Return Home — First 

Appointment 48 

VIII. Among the Italians 58 

IX. In the Spanish- American War 63 

X. Supervisor of Catholic Charities 70 

XL In the Settlements 80 

XII. Appointment to the Visitation 

Parish 92 

XIII. At the Visitation 100 

XIV. Auxiliary Ill 

XV. Spiritual Director of the Sisters of 

the Infant Jesus 117 

XVI. Receives the Title of Monseigneur. . 130 

XVII. Socialism and Labor 135 

XVIII. Interior Life 142 

XIX. Last Illness 151 

XX. Obsequies 159 

XXI. Conclusion 166 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 

IN writing the life of the late Monseig- 
neur White, giving the public a little 
insight into the character of this noble 
man, his labors, and the trials and diffi- 
culties he had to contend with, it was not 
with the idea of anticipating the judgment 
of the Church, but a mere stating of well 
known facts. 

It shows the Monseigneur as he has 
been, a greater figure in worldly affairs, 
both religious and secular, than most of 
those who came in contact with him are 
aware. It shows his great interest in all 
the institutions, and everything that ap- 
pertained to the elevation of mankind; 
that would tend to draw souls out of the 
slough of their misery, put them on a self- 
respecting basis, and increase their confi- 
dence in the love of God. 

The author had a two fold object in 
view in getting up this book; the first 
was, that it might serve as a testimonial 
of gratitude for all he did for the Congre- 
gation of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, 
in helping to make it what it is to-day, 



8 Preface 

a flourishing Community. He spared 
neither time nor labor in their behalf, 
and his memory will ever be fresh in the 
minds of "his Sisters", as he was pleased 
to call them. 

The second object was, that it might be 
the means of helping some one to see the 
"better part" ; to understand that it is not 
always riches and exceptional intelligence 
that makes a man what he is, but the 
bravely accepting of what God has been 
pleased to bestow on him, no matter how 
small, and making the most of it, using it 
as a means to attain an end. 

It is an old saying that "God helps 
those who help themselves" ; nothing can 
be more clearly shown than this in the life 
of Monseigneur White. In the beginning 
everything was against him ; he was poor 
and not abnormally bright, but by dint of 
hard work and study, and a complete trust 
in God, he made himself what he was, one 
of the most learned and honored men of 
his time. The life of Monseigneur White 
proves the truth denied only by sceptics : 
that great work can be done by those born 
poor and of limited talents, as well as 



Preface 9 

those born under the purple, and endowed 
with every possible gift of nature. 

What has been done by one can be done 
by another, and if this book should be the 
means of helping some one take fresh 
courage, and resolve to start out again, 
then the labor shall not have been in vain. 

What is all the more striking about the 
life of Monseigneur White is, that in 
these modern times he was able to retain 
the same great humility and charity which 
characterized him in his days of obscurity, 
even when he had risen to the highest 
dignity. 

We have tried to show how from his 
earliest days, God guided and prepared 
his soul for the work He wished him to 
do, and how he on his part watched, 
prayed, labored, and tried to be faithful 
to every grace. 

In a word, the great secret we learn 
from the history of Monseigneur White 
is, how sufficient in itself is a holy life. 
A soul that is the dwelling place of the 
Holy Ghost becomes a true laborer in His 
Master's vineyard. The smallness of na- 
ture's gifts counts but little to such a one, 



10 Preface 

and without it little can be done by those 
possessed of the greatest intellect, for 
souls are to be brought to God only as 
he made and redeemed them — by love and 
sympathy. It was this quality which 
shone so brightly in the whole life of this 
faithful follower of Christ, and hid from 
view the other wonderful gifts with which 
he was endowed. 

Thanks are hereby extended to all the 
clergy and laity who so kindly furnished 
us with some of the data and material 
that we needed in our work. 

The Author. 



CHAPTER I. 

HIS BIRTH, FAMILY AND 
BAPTISM. 

IN the great city of New York, the me- 
tropolis of the world, where every one 
is filled with ambition for material advan- 
tages, regardless of the purpose of their 
creation, and the affairs of the workaday 
world absorbing every moment of their 
lives; in the midst of all the din of this 
city, God chose to raise up a man whose 
name was destined to live forever. 

It was in the early fall of the year, when 
nature was resplendent in glory, and 
the earth gave forth its choicest fruit 
and flowers, and God's blessed sunshine 
seemed shedding its rays of grace and 
benediction throughout the whole world. 

In the early dawn of the morning of 
September 19th, 1870, the angels hovered 
over a modest little dwelling in Stanton 
Street, Borough of Manhattan, New York 
City, (that neighborhood being far differ- 
ent then from what it is at the present 



12 Birth, Family and Baptism 

time. There was not the crowded tene- 
ments and vast quantity of people that are 
now to be found on the east side, this be- 
ing due in a great measure to the foreign- 
ers who are taking up their abode there in 
large numbers,) a little child had been 
born into the world, a boy, who would 
later on be known and loved all over the 
country; one who was to be a model of 
every virtue, and who would bring count- 
less souls to God. This was William 
John White. 

His parents, John White and Honora 
Drady, were remarkable for a high degree 
of virtue, his father being a pious and 
thoroughly honest man. His mother was 
of a sweet and gentle nature, with a great 
loftiness of character, and interior spirit, 
which well qualified her to become the 
mother of a great man. 

He was baptised in St. Mary's Church, 
corner of Grand and Ridge Streets, on 
September 26th, 1870. 

His mother turned his earliest thoughts 
to God, and taught him to lisp the holy 
name of Jesus and Mary, and watched 
incessantly for the first dawn of reason, 



Birth, Family and Baptism 13 

that she might direct its first act to God ; 
she taught him the Our Father and Hail 
Mary when he was scarcely able to form 
his words, and when he could run about 
his mother often saw him on his knees, 
in some obscure corner, with his little 
hands joined in prayer, and his eyes raised 
to Heaven, praying like a little cherub. 
The foundation for the development of 
his interior life was thus laid during his 
childhood. 

God, in order to prepare William for 
his life's work, gifted him in a special 
manner with noble qualities of nature. 

One day when he was about two years 
of age, his mother took him with her to 
the store; being a very quiet child, he 
remained near her without gazing about ; 
before leaving the proprietor praised him, 
and said he was the best little child he 
had ever seen, and gave him a little mar- 
ble statue of the Blessed Virgin and Child. 
This pleased him exceedingly and he 
cherished it his whole life through. More 
than once a pang of sorrow pierced his 
little heart when he would find his brother 
amusing himself with it by hammering it 



14 Birth, Family and Baptism 

with a stick ; he complained of this to his 
mother, and she advised him to put it 
away, and play with it only when Charlie 
was asleep, which he did, and it was a 
great source of consolation to him when 
he could be alone with it; then he would 
talk to our Blessed Mother and tell her 
his little secrets. 

His father was engaged in New York 
in manufacturing flat irons. The proprie- 
tor sold the business and the shop was 
closed; after which Mr. White procured 
a position in Newark, New Jersey, and 
for this reason the family moved there; 
this was in 1873. William was now al- 
most three years old, and his father was 
much devoted to him. Every Sunday 
they spent many happy hours together, 
and on pleasant days sauntered through 
the meadows nearby; he would often 
speak of the little joys and sorrows which 
occurred to him during the week, and here 
and there he culled an occasional flower, 
which he brought home to his mother. 

He spent many happy hours amusing 
himself with a set of building blocks ; he 
would put them all on the floor, then his 



Birth, Family and Baptism 15 

mother told him how to place them; in 
this way he learned the alphabet very 
readily. One day his father went with a 
friend to the barber shop, and William 
followed them; after entering there he 
amused himself by picking out all the let- 
ters on the bill posters which were in the 
window. The men, astonished at his abil- 
ity, asked him to repeat the letters for 
them, which he did, with child-like sim- 
plicity, and they each gave him five cents. 
He returned home with his father, imme- 
diately went to his mother, and showing 
her the coins told how he had earned 
them. 

His mother who was always religiously 
inclined, attended daily Mass whenever 
she could. Often William asked to go 
with her, but when the mornings were 
dark and cold she tried to persuade him 
to remain at home, lest perhaps he should 
take cold, but his anxious pleadings so 
touched her that she always took him 
with her. During the entire Mass he was 
so absorbed in the Holy Sacrifice, and 
watched the priest and altar boys so at- 
tentively, that ere long he knew how to 



16 Birth, Family and Baptism 

imitate them in everything that they did. 
When he returned home he loved to speak 
of all that he had seen and heard, to his 
fond parents, who were both astonished 
and delighted at seeing this in a child so 
young. He was always very quiet and 
serious, and spent much time in prayer, 
although he was now but four years old, 
and some of the happiest moments of his 
childhood were spent in the company of 
his mother, speaking of God, the Blessed 
Virgin, and all holy things, and wishing 
he could work for our Lord. Although 
he was but four years old his devotion to 
our Blessed Mother was remarkable, and 
nothing ever gave him so much pleasure 
as to be in Church. 



CHAPTER II. 
BOYHOOD. 

ON the first of April, 1875, his father 
died. Immediately after, Mrs. White 
came to Brooklyn, residing at the home 
of William's grandfather on Classon Ave- 
nue, near Willoughby Avenue, where they 
remained for a short time. In September 
William went to St. Patrick's parochial 
school, where his heart and soul were im- 
bued with the solid principles of faith and 
piety. His first day at school gave evi- 
dence of his untrsual ability for a begin- 
ner, as he was able to read correctly the 
first lesson in the book given him by the 
teacher. Much surprised at this she 
turned to a more difficult part of the book, 
and asked him to read it, which he did 
with apparently the same ease as he had 
done the first. In the course of the day 
she spoke of the incident to another teach- 
er, and before the end of his first day at 
school he had been placed in a higher 
class, where he succeeded admirably. 



18 Boyhood 

He was very fond of study and fond of 
play, and even now his public spiritedness 
displayed itself. He showed a particular 
interest in his first Christmas entertain- 
ment, and entered into the spirit of it 
whole-heartedly. 

The two following years his interest in 
school life increased daily, and great was 
the delight which filled his young heart 
when he was chosen to be an altar boy. 
His mother made him an exceptionally 
pretty surplice ; he brought it with him to 
the church, but even at this early age he 
was detached from material things, and 
at Mass his mother seeing it on another 
boy asked William why he did not wear 
it himself; he said it did not matter who 
wore it, whichever boy reached the 
church first was entitled to take the one 
he wanted. 

He was much beloved by all his teach- 
ers and little companions; in fact by all 
who came in contact with him, for he 
carried in his heart the spirit of humility, 
sweetness, obedience, and sacrifice. He 



Boyhood 19 

was always quiet, gentle, and tender- 
hearted, never quarreling with other boys, 
but whenever he saw them doing so was 
always the peacemaker. His thoughts 
were continually absorbed in God alone, 
either by means of holy books or by pray- 
er. It seemed as though he was permit- 
ted at this tender age to realize the sole 
purpose of his creation, and to know that 
nothing is worth while, even to a pure 
childish heart, except to love and serve 
God. He was greatly devoted to his good 
mother, who had worked so incessantly 
since his father's death, taking in washing 
and ironing every day, in order to keep 
the little home together, and make it what 
it was — a haven of peace and love, where 
the sweet odor of piety and virtue reigned 
supreme, and when the washings were 
finished he delivered them to their own- 
ers. This he continued to do for his 
mother even while at College ; in fact, he 
never ceased to do so until the day he 
went to Rome, showing that his great 
humility even as a College student shone 
brighter than ever, and proved his con- 



20 Boyhood 

tempt for human respect, which he un- 
conciously trampled beneath his feet. 

He denied himself the pleasure of the 
few spare hours before and after school, 
and courageously took his pack of daily 
newspapers and sold them, in order to 
contribute his little mite toward the main- 
tenance of the home, thus displaying a 
rare self dependence and quick perception, 
by a decision and courage which in later 
years recoiled at no obstacle or danger, 
when there was question of duty. The 
great spirit of self denial which shone so 
prominently through his entire life, was 
manifested even at this early age. 

An excursion was given the school chil- 
dren, but he remained home, because his 
conscience would not permit him to neg- 
lect the selling of his papers. He helped 
considerably about the house on Satur- 
days and holidays, and thus proved him- 
self to be the little treasure of the house- 
hold, such as the Child Jesus was to Mary 
and Joseph in the quiet little home at 
Nazareth. 

His brother Charlie was a typical boy, 
full of childish pranks, always looking for 



First Communion 21 

fun, pillow fights, etc., but William never 
relished these, being of a more serious 
and gentle nature, although exceedingly 
joyous and light hearted. A marked char- 
acteristic of his young boyhood was his 
extreme modesty, delicacy, and purity. 



CHAPTER III. 

FIRST COMMUNION AND EFFECTS 
OF GRACE DURING BOYHOOD. 

THOSE who knew him were amazed 
at his marvelous knowledge of spir- 
itual things ; and now that the time of his 
first Communion was approaching, he 
spent most of his time in solitude and 
prayer. 

He was always sparing of his words, 
and careful to restrain his lips from any 
breach of the law of charity, and his heart 
was well prepared for the coming of the 
King of Kings. 

He was ten years and two months old 
when he received his first Holy Commu- 
nion, and on the afternoon of the same 
day he was confirmed by Rt. Rev. John 



22 First Communion 

Loughlin, then Bishop of Brooklyn, No- 
vember 28th, 1880. One may easily imag- 
ine how pleasing a pure soul is in the 
sight of God, especially when it has been 
made a Temple for the "Holy of Holies", 
and with the eye of faith can picture 
the sacred sanctuary within the heart, 
adorned with the priceless jewels of love, 
and the flowers of every virtue, welcom- 
ing the presence of the Divine Spouse. 

What passed between our Lord and his 
pure young soul at this time, God alone 
knows, but many witnessed the recollec- 
tion and deep devotion with which he ap- 
proached the Sacred Banquet, and the 
fervent thanksgiving which followed its 
reception. A heavenly expression shone 
on his face, and thus spoke of the spirit 
which dwelt there, revealing the light of 
God's countenance, in which he was ever 
sunning his pure soul. He realized that 
the kingdom of God is within us; that 
God weighs the heart and not the work, 
and looks not at what we do, but why we 
do it. He grew daily in humility, sweet- 
ness, and purity. He had already ao 
quired so great a command over himself 



First Communion 23 

as to make it his one aim to do always 
what was most perfect. There was no- 
ticed in him a maturity of judgment and 
a seriousness of deportment, as well as a 
manly firmness of character, a reflective 
silence, prudence and discretion quite un- 
usual at his age. His dealings with 
others showed a candid, obliging, benev- 
olent affability and charity, which won 
all hearts as by a secret charm, that made 
him everywhere an object of attraction; 
his sunny disposition and bright warm 
smile bespoke a pure and loving nature. 
His heart was so tender and magnani- 
mous that his greatest happiness con- 
sisted in forgetting self, and doing what- 
ever he could to give joy to others. 

He was now entering that path of mor- 
tification which he trod even until death. 
It is said that from his earliest childhood 
days he was never a hearty eater ; he sel- 
dom, if ever, manifested any special liking 
for delicacies, as most children are apt 
to do. 

He was faithful to the slightest inspira- 
tion of grace, even at this early age, a 



24 First Communion 

trait which we find in an extraordinary 
degree later on in life. 

His books of recreation were only those 
which could bring profit to his soul, and it 
is said he never read a profane tale or 
romance. He abhorred novels, and it just 
happened that one day a young lady who 
had come to visit his mother, brought one 
of these books with her, and when leaving 
forgot to take it along. When William 
came in he at once saw the book, and 
wanted to know where it came from and 
what it was doing there. His mother ex- 
plained, and then without another word 
he took the book and flung it into the 
stove. When the young lady came back 
for her book she was very much mortified, 
not at the fact of its having been burned, 
but because William had seen it, as they 
all knew how he felt about this matter. 

So absorbed was he in study that he 
rarely ever ate a meal without having a 
book before him; he never lost a minute 
of study time, therefore it is not surpris- 
ing that he was so successful in his school 
work. 



First Communion 25 

He had such a pleasant voice and 
graceful delivery, that he was very often 
chosen to speak at the closing school ex- 
ercises as well as the entertainments that 
were given during the year. 

He was utterly unconscious that he had 
done anything out of the ordinary and 
seemed surprised if people praised him. 
One day his brother Charlie was selected 
to recite a piece, and being very bashful, 
objected strongly, saying he could never 
get up in public and speak. William tried 
to reason with him, and finally told him 
that he ought to be made to stand in a 
corner all day, as a punishment for not 
wanting to do as he was told. Why when 
I get up, he said, 1 just fix my eyes on the 
wall at the end of the room, and go on re* 
citing just as if no one was there. 

He was a model altar boy, occupying 
himself solely with assisting at the Holy 
Sacrifice, and never troubling himself 
about what was going on around him. 
It seemed as though he realized that at 
the moment of Consecration, the Lord of 
Hosts was to descend upon the altar, and 
he endeavored to show Him all the horn- 



26 First Communion 

age that was in his power. He was al- 
ways very devoted to the Blessed Virgin, 
and we find his name on the list of those 
belonging to her Sodality. 

It is a custom in the schools taught by 
the Franciscan Brothers, to instruct their 
pupils in physical culture, vocal and in- 
strumental music, and elocution; the lat- 
ter two William excelled in. He was con- 
sidered one of the brightest pupils in elo- 
cution. 

Although precocious and highly talent- 
ed yet he never used these qualities as a 
pretext for putting himself in evidence, 
but always desired others to be preferred 
before him. 

He was a great favorite of his pastor, 
Rev. Father Taaffe, and held him in the 
greatest esteem and veneration ; admiring 
everything that he did, and always desir- 
ing to be like him. His affection for all 
his teachers was filled with the greatest 
respect, and they in turn respected him. 

He was particularly attached to his 
principal, Brother Sebastian, O. S. F., and 
when this brother died, in June 1906, his 
favorite pupil, William, sang the Requiem. 



First Communion 27 

They were all beginning to realize his 
rare ability, and took a special interest in 
both his spiritual and material welfare. 

His talent and application were making 
themselves felt. 

On June 27th, 1883, he was awarded 
the first premium in the examination in 
geometry and algebra. 

Unlike other boys William had but few 
companions, not because he was eccentric 
or morose ; on the contrary he was a great 
favorite, and always proved himself to be 
the most joyful of any gathering. He 
was never interested in the childish sports 
which the boys of his age usually enjoyed, 
but was rather retiring, except when an 
occasion of a most serious nature pre- 
sented itself; then no one joined more 
cordially into the spirit of the occasion 
than he did. 

He took a great interest in the Confra- 
ternity of the Sacred Heart, of which he 
was a devoted member. He attended all 
the outings given by this association, 
merely to satisfy his conscience, as he 
considered it a duty to be present; then 



28 Graduation 

he modestly withdrew from the festive 
gathering, much to the disappointment of 
all present. 

CHAPTER IV. 

GRADUATION FROM ST. 
PATRICK'S ACADEMY. 

AFTER a course of eight years in St. 
L Patrick's School, during which time 
his record was exceptionally good, he 
graduated from that Academy on June 
29th, 1885, taking the second prize, a 
handsome gold medal. This was awarded 
for faithfulness and conscientious labor, 
in the following subjects — History, Civil 
Government, Literature and Mensuration. 
At the closing exercises he read an essay 
on "Festivals." Those who heard him 
said it was well worth their going, to 
have been able to have heard him. Every 
word he spoke seemed to breathe the hap- 
piness he felt at having been successful in 
his studies, and a gratitude to God for 
having so blessed him. He manifested at 
this time, the acuteness of his intellect, 



Graduation 29 

and his whole demeanor was a pattern of 
the most engaging modesty. 

William was now about 16 years of age. 
It was his intention to go to work in or- 
der to help his mother financially, but as 
he was not very robust, she told him that 
the little help he might be able to give 
her would not be worth while; that it 
would be better for him to go back to 
school and learn bookkeeping, or some 
other light work. 

In the meantime his mother, who hap- 
pened to be in the school one day, acci- 
dentally met one of the Brothers, who told 
her that Father Taaffe and he wished to 
speak to her, and they at once told her 
their intention in regard to William. 
They said that he was so bright, consci- 
entious, faithful, and exact in everything 
relating to duty, that in their opinion he 
had all the qualities for the making of a 
good priest. After this they had a talk 
with William himself. When he left 
them he went into the church, and knelt 
for a long time before the statue of the 
Blessed Virgin. What passed between 
them will never be known — this is a sub- 



30 Graduation 

ject too sacred for words, but all that is 
known is, that when he came from the 
church he had decided to do as they 
wanted. 

In September of that year he returned 
to school for a post graduate course. 
Now that he knew the goal for which he 
was aiming, and how much these kind 
friends would be interested in seeing him 
advance in his studies, he persevered and 
worked harder than ever, with the result 
that when the year was up, he had passed 
first in a class of twenty-five, and had won 
the first prize for general excellence ; this 
being a handsome gold watch. Winning 
the prize seemed to mean nothing to him ; 
all he knew was that he had been success- 
ful, and this meant that he had ascended 
another step on the ladder of his divine 
vocation. But now he could only climb 
step by step, and took care always to go 
ahead, so that he would not have any 
step to retrace. This he knew from ex- 
perience would not be easy, for while he 
was highly talented, still learning had not 
come as easy to him as it had to many 
another boy; each prize won, each honor 






Graduation 31 

gained, meant many long weary hours of 
study, many sleepless nights; yet he 
would never falter or turn back, but, 
trusting in God, would go on, no matter 
how hard would be the road he had to 
travel. Many older than he would have 
been discouraged and tempted to give up 
if they had half the difficulties he had to 
encounter, but he was made of sterner 
stuff, and once determined on anything 
no obstacle could stand in his way. 
Never, until he had talked with the priest 
and the brother, had he any idea that it 
would be possible for him to even dream 
of becoming a priest, everything seeming 
to be against it, but now that he knew 
there was a hope of becoming one, he en- 
deavored to prepare himself to accom- 
plish God's plans in his regard. Every 
fibre of his being thrilled with the thought 
of how, some day, he might be able to 
offer up the Holy Sacrifice. How he 
longed to pay back, if only in a little 
measure, the kindness of the dear God to 
him, one of the least of His children. 
How well he did this, in later years, could 
be told by many. 



32 Graduation 

It was on June 30th, 1886, that he fin- 
ished his post graduate course; Brother 
Vincent being his teacher during that 
time, was very much interested in Wil- 
liam, as he knew the goal for which he 
was aiming, and the difficulties he had 
to encounter, and he gave him many a 
kindly, encouraging word, particularly 
when the road seemed long and dreary. 
A little word of kindness now and then 
does not cost much, but to such a soul as 
William White it was worth its weight in 
gold. There are many like this good 
brother of whom the world knows noth- 
ing ; it does not realize that without such 
holy souls many would sink under the 
weight of discouragement, thinking 
everything useless, but one little word of 
hope will cause them to start out afresh 
and win. Only on the last day, when 
Life's book is opened, and the secrets of 
all hearts revealed, will the power of 
kindness be known. 

When vacation time came he did not 
spend it in the country like a good many 
of his companions, but remained quietly 
at home, helping his mother, while not 



I 



College Days 33 

forgetting his studies, so when the time 
came for him to go to college he was bet- 
ter prepared. 

CHAPTER V. 
COLLEGE DAYS. 

N September, 1886, he entered St. 
John's College, Willoughby and Lewis 
Avenues, Brooklyn. Here he showed the 
same conscientiousness which was al- 
ways characteristic of him. He paid as 
much attention to the littlest as to the 
greatest things. He studied assiduously 
amid the greatest difficulties. As we 
have already mentioned, he was not dis- 
tinguished by extraordinary brilliant qual- 
ities, but by applying himself diligently 
and perseveringly to his studies he always 
kept among the first in every class. 

He now more zealously than before en- 
deavored to cultivate and develop all the 
talents which God had bestowed upon 
him. Even at this early date he led a life 
of prayer and contemplation, which in 
later years was to grow into an almost 
uninterrupted communion with God, even 



34 College Days 

amid the greatest activities. His piety- 
was not of the sentimental kind, but firm 
and solid. 

Nothing could surpass the confidence 
which he placed in the Divine care and 
help. He referred everything to God, 
looking to Him for counsel, as a child 
looks to its parents for guidance. He 
turned to Him in every need and doubt. 
One remarkable feature now remarkably 
manifested was his great humility, but 
with it all there was a certain gentle dig- 
nity, which bespoke the gentleman in 
every sense. 

One day Father Hartnett, then Presi- 
dent of the College, called Willliam into 
his office, and told him that he thought it 
would be better for him to discontinue the 
selling of newspapers, as it was not in 
accordance with the diginity of a college 
student. He offered to make up the finan- 
cial loss which this would incur, but Wil- 
liam refused, saying that this would be 
against his moral principles of conscience. 
He said that he did no wrong in selling 
papers; that he was not ashamed of it, 






College Days 35 

and that as he had begun, so he would 
continue. 

About this time there was noticed in 
William in a marked degree untiring zeal 
and close application to study. Father 
Taaffe saw in him the qualities which are 
so requisite for the making of a good and 
faithful priest. He spoke of him to 
Bishop Loughlin, who was greatly 
pleased with the report, and decided at 
once to send him to the North American 
College at Rome. 

What still further strengthened his re- 
solve was the fact that Father Hartnett, 
the President of the College, also recom- 
mended the young student as a worthy 
candidate for the rare privilege of study- 
ing theology at Rome. 

William White never asked to go to 
Rome. 

Such a thing was farthest from his 
thoughts. He was asked. 

Even at this time he had an exalted 
idea of authority; that there was no 
power but from God. His mighty faith 
made him reverent. He would not try to 
push the hand of God. All the honors of 



36 College Days 

his later years came unsought. He never 
looked for them. They found him. 

There was not noticed in him that dan- 
gerous gift of facility which is brilliant 
but without solid or enduring worth, but 
he had the admiration and reverence of 
all. 

The most notable thing about him was 
his strength of character. When he said 
a thing he meant it. His no was no, his 
yes, yes. He had the special gift that was 
the secret of his greatness — a tremendous 
capacity for taking pains. 

In Greek and the higher mathematics 
he won several prizes. In the year 1888 
he took the gold medal for the highest 
average in all the College classes. 

He graduated on June 24th, 1890. On 
this occasion he delivered the commence- 
ment oration, the subject of which was 
"Father Damien, (the apostle of the lep- 
ers). " There was a kinship between the 
young orator and his subject. Father 
Damien fell a victim of heroic zeal. And 
so it was with Father White ; the zeal of 
His Father's House was to eat up his 
young life. 






In Rome 37 

He had a very low opinion of himself, 
and cordially disliked praise. In this he 
resembled his Divine Master whom he 
loved so ardently, and strove to imitate 
with his whole heart. This is another 
trait which we will find developed to the 
highest point of virtue in his later years. 



CHAPTER VI. 
WILLIAM IN ROME. 

HE was 20 years of age on the 19th of 
September, 1890, and he left Brook- 
lyn to sail for Rome, on the following day. 
At Queenstown he met another Brooklyn 

student (Mr. K ), bound for Rome. 

They had not met before. When Mr. 

K arrived at the Queens Hotel he 

was told that a Mr. White wished to see 
him, and was much surprised on reaching 
the reception room to see a timid, nervous 
young man, whom he did not know, but 
when he learned his mission, and who he 
was, he was delighted. They landed at 
Calais; from thence they continued their 
journey by train, stopping at Paris, 



38 In Rome 

Lyons, and Marseilles; from thence they 
went across the Alps to Pisa where they 
spent one week; then to Genoa where 
they met three other Brooklyn stu- 
dents. They all spent a very happy week 
here, and then they continued their jour- 
ney toward the Eternal City. When they 
reached the North American College the 
students were all at the summer home, 
Grotta Ferrata, meaning "iron grotto." 
This is in charge of the Baselian Monks, 
who said Mass every day for them. Here 
they also went the following day, where 
they remained two weeks. The last five 
days were spent on retreat, ending All 
Saints' Day. While at Grotta Ferrata the 
students were obliged to observe the fol- 
lowing rules: arise at 6 o'clock to be 
present at Mass. At ten o'clock they 
assembled for spiritual reading, which 
lasted for half an hour; after this they 
were all obliged to fix their rooms. In the 
afternoon they each had to take a sleep. 
A walk of three hours every day was in- 
cluded in the rules. 

Those who had the means were per- 
mitted to travel during the vacation 



In Rome 39 

months. On All Souls' Days they all re- 
turned to the College, which opened the 
following day. The costume worn by 
the students of the College is typically 
American, the cassock being black, a red 
cinture, a white collar, and blue buttons 
and piping. 

They both entered the class of Philoso- 
phy at the Propaganda. Our student's 
zeal and faithfulness was so manifested, 
that, during the year 1891, he was made 
Prefect by Monseigneur O'Connell, then 
Rector of the College. The duty of a 
Prefect is to have full charge of ten stu- 
dents, and take care of them when sick. 
He fulfilled this duty very conscientious- 
ly, being known to stay up two nights in 
succession caring for a student (who later 
became a Secretary of the Embassy at 
Washington), and still attended all the 
lectures. 

Every Thursday all the students took 
long walks together, or visited the cata- 
combs. On one occasion they walked to 
Gennazano in the Sabine Mountains ; this 
was a three or four days' journey. They 
stopped at Palestinia, and on leaving there 



40 In Rome 

went down the side of the mountains 
about a mile, to the Church of Our Lady 
of Good Counsel, where they received 
Holy Communion. None of the students 
were allowed to wear high shoes, and one 

of them (a Mr. K ) had weak ankles, 

and therefore was not able to keep up 
with the rest, so he walked behind. Wil- 
liam generally stayed and accompanied 
him. In crossing the fields they encoun- 
tered an occasional fosse, which is a drain- 
age place for the fields. These marshy 
trenches were about four or five feet wide 

and two feet deep, but Mr. K not 

being able to jump across, William tak- 
ing him on his shoulders, stepped into the 
ditch and carried him over. 

William loved to visit the Roman Cata- 
combs and shrines. One can easily imag- 
ine the deep emotion which swells within 
the Christian heart when visiting the 
ruins of ancient Rome. Here may be 
traced the marvellous history of the early 
Church. Nowhere else in the world can 
there be found records and memorials of 
such virtues, sacrifices, and glories. 



In Rome 41 

The catacombs drew his heart like a 
magnet. Here he spent much of his free 
time. He loved them dearly ; how well he 
knew the intricate windings of the pas- 
sages and the tombs which marked the 
city of the dead. More than once he 
kissed that sacred earth, pressing with 
fervent lips the soil moistened by the 
blood of Pancratius, Cecelia, Sebastian, 
Domitilla, and other holy martyrs. What 
passed between this fervent soul and his 
Creator we do not know, but we can easily 
imagine the effect produced in his tender 
heart by the hallowed surroundings, amid 
the sacred scenes of martyrdom. No won- 
der that he loved to pray there. No pil- 
grim trod the holy places with tenderer 
devotion than he. 

A place especially dear to him was the 
Basilica of Saint Agnes ; here he knelt at 
this holy martyr's statue, and implored 
her to obtain for him the grace for the 
preservation of the flower of chastity un- 
til death. It was during these happy days 
the foundations of his spiritual life were 
strengthened and deepened. 



42 In Rome 

A word on the appearance of the Cata- 
combs we think will not be out of place 
here. 

Beneath the suburbs of Rome, hidden 
in darkness, are subterranean passages, 
which are known as the Catacombs, hav- 
ing a depth of from 80 to 100 feet under- 
ground. They are mainly cemeteries ; the 
walls and the sides of the stairs are honey- 
combed with graves. In entering the Cat- 
acombs it is necessary to descend a steep 
flight of steps, which lead to the first 
story of the cemetery; a second and a 
third flight lead to the second and third 
story below. In some there are even four 
or five stories, which are all constructed 
on the same principle as the first. 

The Catacombs may be divided into 
three parts: its passages, chambers, and 
churches. The passages are long and nar- 
row, and in some places are scarcely wide 
enough to allow two persons to go 
abreast. They cross each other in such 
a way as to form a complete labyrinth of 
subterranean corridors, and because of 
these intricate windings, one not familiar 
with them could very easily be lost in the 



In Rome 43 

darkness. Sometimes the chambers are 
double, being on either side of the corri- 
dors. These chambers usually contained 
the tombs of a whole family, or that of 
some holy martyrs. Some of the cham- 
bers are richly adorned with ancient 
Christian art, while others are destitute 
of ornament. The leading features which 
characterize most of them are, that they 
suggest religious ideas or doctrines under 
the guise of artistic symbols or historic 
types. 

A solemn stillness reigns amid this mys- 
terious beauty of the Catacombs, and 
here and there the dim light of an occa- 
sional lamp, and that of the guide's torch, 
cast rays of light upon the paintings, 
which are devotionally beautiful, and 
which may be seen upon the walls and 
ceilings throughout the entire passages. 
These paintings, representing the scenes 
of our Divine Lord's life, His Blessed 
Mother and the Saints, together with the 
intense stillness, produce a profound emo- 
tion and reverence, which elevate the soul, 
and make it realize that all the greatest 
honors and praise that the world can pos- 



44 In Rome 

sibly give are nothing but a mere bubble, 
and that real happiness, as far as it can 
be possessed in this life, consists in living 
purely for God. 

Here alone in the early ages during the 
time of persecution, the Mysteries of 
religion were celebrated; the Holy Sacri- 
fice offered for the faithful, and Holy 
Communion frequently distributed among 
them, and thus fortified by this celestial 
banquet, they lived in perfect charity 
amid sights of cruelty and blood. Each 
day brought fresh sufferings and death to 
fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, priests, 
bishops. Amid cruel torments, with 
never a word of anger nor allusion to 
the persecution, they died and conquered. 
Such suffering, endured with courage and 
resignation, was prompted by the strong 
faith and ardent zeal for God's glory, 
which even martyrdom itself could not 
shatter. 

He learned much from the monuments 
and scenes, both pagan and Christian, of 
the Eternal City. He was faithful to all 
the lectures in the class-room. He studied 
zealously, and it is known that he stayed 



In Rome 45 

up studying many times until two o'clock 
in the morning. Even the coldest nights 
did not prevent him from this practice, 
for he would then place a quilt over his 
shoulders, and continue his studies. In 
fact, he had no overcoat, this being a 
luxury he was not able to afford. 

In the early summer, toward the close 
of the second year of his studies, while he 
was preparing for examinations, he was 
suddenly seized with a heart attack, 
which lasted three or four days, neverthe- 
less he attended the lectures every day. 
He went to see an American doctor at the 
Santo Spirito Hospital. This illness was 
unknown to all at the College, except one 
Prefect. 

At certain times during the year the 
tomb of Saint Charles Borromeo, which 
is at Milan, is opened by a sexton in 
charge, and those desiring to see the body 
of this holy Bishop, which is still pre- 
served intact after several hundred years, 
may do so for the sum of five francs. A 
Bishop who was travelling through Rome 
was present on one occasion when the 
tomb was opened, and raised the arm of 



46 In Rome 

the saint; it was found to be quite flex- 
ible, and even the features and clothes are 
still preserved. William, who was pres- 
ent on this occasion, was deeply im- 
pressed, and considered it a great privi- 
lege to be permitted to witness such a 
spectacle. 

In November, 1893, his mother was 
taken seriously ill with erysipelas. 

It seems that before William left for 
Rome a young lady had come to them 
who was in need of a home, and he told 
his mother to keep her as long as they 
had a home to shelter them. She, how- 
ever, contracted erysipelas in the face, and 
Mrs. White looked after her, caring for 
her like her own child, until finally the 
disease conquered, and she died. 

Mrs. White, worn out and weakened 
with the long hours of watching by the 
bedside of the poor sufiferer, caught the 
disease herself. One of her limbs became 
affected, and so bad did it become that 
the doctor declared it would have to be 
amputated in order to save her life. In 
the meantime Monseigneur Taaffe had 
visited her, and with her consent arrange- 



In Rome 47 

ments were finally made, and she was 
taken to Kings County Hospital. 

When William heard of his mother's 
illness, he went to an altar of the Blessed 
Virgin — under the title of Our Lady of 
Perpetual Help— and there he promised 
to say his first Mass in her honor, as a 
thanksgiving should his mother get bet- 
ter and recover her health. 

After an illness of two or three months 
she was finally cured. 

He was ordained deacon by Cardinal 
Parocchi. From his boyhood days there 
was no visible change, except that of his 
growth in holiness. Outwardly there was 
the same goodness, piety, and suavity of 
demeanor; and if it were possible to see 
down into the heart, there would be found 
that with each passing year the beauty of 
his soul increased, becoming so majestic 
and dignified that its impression was 
stamped deeper on his outer being. Mean- 
while his devotion became more ardent, 
and he not only hated evil, but held in 
contempt many things which were inno- 
cent in themselves, but often prove to be 
obstacles in the way of perfection. 



CHAPTER VII. 

ORDINATION— RETURN HOME- 
FIRST APPOINTMENT. 

OWING to his exemplary conduct and 
marked proficiency in his studies, 
he was ordained, one year before the com- 
pletion of his course, on July 26th, 1894, 
the feast of St. Ann. 

The ceremony was performed by Cardi- 
nal Parocchi, then Vicar General of Rome, 
under Pope Leo XIII. , in the Chapel of 
the Seminario Pio, usually called the Car- 
dinal's Chapel. He was one of the band 
of young American Levites who carried 
off all the honors of that year, in competi- 
tion with theological students from all 
parts of the world. We can imagine the 
serene and tranquil expression, the great 
piety, love and humility with which he 
received the sacred anointing of the 
priesthood. 

How well he understood what all this 
meant ; his long-cherished dream had been 
realized, and though the time had seemed 



Ordination — First Appointment 49 

long in coming, now that it really had 
come, he could look back and feel that all 
the trials he had to undergo had been 
as nothing to the honor done him by his 
Divine Master; and how fervently he 
made his solemn promise to be faithful in 
all his duties, and obedient to his Bishop 
or those placed over him. From this day 
forth he strove harder than ever to imi- 
tate his Divine Master, to whom he had 
just offered a holocaust of his life. 

In speaking to a friend of his about our 
Blessed Mother, Dr. White said : "She has 
always been so good to me, and has done 
so much for me. On the day of my ordi- 
nation I asked her to obtain for me from 
Almighty God the gift of humility. " 

Little wonder that we have found it 
difficult to collect data. 

He tried to bury his honorable record 
as he went. 

According to the promise he had made 
to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, he cele- 
brated his first Mass at her altar, in the 
Church of St. Alfonso. He was assisted 
by the Reverend James Kelly, then a 
Deacon. He celebrated his second Mass 



50 Ordination — First Appointment 

at the Church of St. Agnes, outside the 
walls of the city. 

He was assisted at this Mass by the 
Reverend Father Mahon, who was then a 
student in the College. 

Immediately after his ordination he was 
made First Prefect, a very onerous though 
honorable position. He was always kind, 
prudent and courteous, as well as prompt 
and generous, which endeared him to all 
those over whom he had charge. The 
honor done him was very great, but his 
exceeding humility prevented him from 
glorifying in it. 

Now that he was invested with the 
power to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of 
the Mass, every altar and chapel fre- 
quented by the Saints and Martyrs had a 
special charm for him. 

Frequently he celebrated the Holy Sac- 
rifice of the Mass at one of the altars of 
the Sacred Heart Convent, Pincio Hill, 
Italy, one of the seven hills of Rome ; over 
this altar is a fresco of the Blessed 
Mother, under the title of Mater Admir- 
abilis. This Convent was founded by 
Louis XIV., King of France, during his 



Ordination — First Appointment 51 

reign. He greatly admired St. Philip 
Neri, and when he had an opportunity he 
visited the room in which this Saint died, 
and there he offered up the Holy Sacrifice 
of the Mass. Here he also had the pleas- 
ure of receiving Holy Communion even 
before his ordination. 

After his ordination there still remained 
one year of his course to be completed. 
During this time he pursued his studies, 
and on the 25th of June, 1895, he received 
the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology. 

He returned to Brooklyn, Saturday 
morning, August 17th, 1895, arriving at 
his home about nine o'clock. The follow- 
ing day, Sunday, he celebrated nine 
o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's Church. An 
incident of his thoughtfulness is here 
shown. His mother went to the same 
Mass, and in going up to the altar to re- 
ceive Holy Communion, it so happened 
that her place at the altar rail was almost 
directly in the center, and when Father 
White came down the steps, instead of 
going straight to the end, as is the cus- 
tom, he stopped first and gave his mother 
communion, and then went down to the 



52 Ordination — First Appointment 

end of the rail, and continued in the usual 
way. 

The following Monday he was tempo- 
rarily assigned to the Holy Cross Parish 
in Flatbush, where he assisted the Rev. 
Father John T. Woods for about two 
months. Monseigneur Taaffe then asked 
the Rt. Reverend Bishop McDonnell to 
assign him to his parish as a curate, which 
he accordingly did. Here he had every 
opportunity of carrying out his ideas. 
Like his Divine Master, his whole heart 
and soul were centered on the poor and 
unfortunate; he was continually seeking 
for opportunities to help them, not only 
by his good example and consoling words, 
but also from his scanty funds, which all 
knew he could ill afford to do. 

He had a thorough knowledge of man- 
kind and his place in time and eternity. 
This knowledge he made perfect by be- 
coming familiarized with and realizing to 
their fullest extent the teachings of 
Christ. He felt that he had laid but the 
mere foundation, and that he must now 
set to work to build the edifice, and must 
prepare his mind for the work that he had 



Ordination — First Appointment 53 

been called by Almighty God to do, name- 
ly, that of spreading a knowledge of the 
Catholic doctrine, making the Church bet- 
ter known and loved, and the improve- 
ment of the economic conditions of the 
poor. 

He seemed to think that his parochial 
duties as assistant, and in time as pastor, 
were of the greatest importance, and that 
nothing, no matter how weighty, belong- 
ing to the outside world, could ever pay 
up for having been neglectful in hearing 
a Confession, a sick call, or failing in any 
duties that concerned the Mass, or the 
preaching of a sermon. He tried, how- 
ever, to always make time enough to ex- 
plain regarding the different doctrines of 
the faith, to many who were beyond the 
parish limits, and whenever an opportu- 
nity came up he was always at hand to 
defend the Church. 

He was a typical figure of the Good 
Shepherd, bearing on his shoulders the 
lamb who had strayed. How often have 
men who have sunk deep in the mire of 
sin risen to a better life at the thought of 
the revelation of the Saviour of mankind. 



54 Ordination — First Appointment 

Jesus Christ knew the human heart as 
never was it known by a man before or 
since. 

He knew that poor, sinful man 
wants something more than knowledge; 
he wants encouragement; he wants 
strength; he wants a hand stretched out 
to lift him up and sustain him, and so our 
Blessed Lord is not content with the title 
of "Teacher of Nations." He wants to be 
known as the Good Shepherd ; not a shep- 
herd like the keeper of goats and cows; 
He didn't drive His flock to water or to 
shelter ; He led the way. He knew them 
all, the young and the old, the weak and 
the strong, the obstinate and the obedient, 
and He gave them just the care they re- 
quired. Therefore they knew Him, they 
knew His voice; it had no terrors for 
them ; He could fondle them, they did not 
run away; He could shear them of their 
wool, they submitted, for they recognized 
His hand and voice as that of a friend. 
This was how Dr. White represented the 
Saviour of mankind to the people, and 
hearts must have been hardened indeed 
if no effect was produced. 



Ordination — First Appointment 55 

He not only preached the word of God 
to the people, but he visited them in their 
homes. He believed that a heart filled 
with love of God, and a gentle tenderness 
of manner, were the means most effectual 
in converting souls, and leading them in 
the way of perfection. 

He endeared himself to all his friends 
and parishioners during his time spent in 
St. Patrick's parish, ministering to their 
spiritual wants. 

In hearing confessions he had ever be- 
fore his mind the gentleness, love, and 
tender mercy of our Lord as the Good 
Shepherd, going anxiously in search of 
the lost sheep, and hearing Him say from 
the cross, "Father, forgive them." Here 
his sweetness and charity had a powerful 
effect on all. 

His active life did not permit of any 
great amount of private prayers and devo- 
tions, but the gateway of his heart was al- 
ways open to every grace, and all his days 
were one long round of unbroken prayer 
and love for his Creator, despite the many 
worldly matters that he had to contend 
with. 



56 Ordination — First Appointment 

In the pulpit Dr. White was at his best. 
While not what might be called an ora- 
tor, he had the gift of eloquence, as well 
as great power. His voice was deep and 
very clear ; he showed a slight haste in his 
delivery, as the outcome of too much en- 
ergy, and a wealth of thought. He was 
without doubt one of the best speakers 
and preachers to be found in the diocese. 
He could handle his audience just as he 
saw fit ; they were thrilled, persuaded, in- 
spired, and in fact they were swayed with 
his every mood. In this way he was able 
to touch and soften the hardest heart, and 
was the means of having many forsake 
the ways of pleasure and vice, and turn to 
God. Like his Master he loved the sick 
and the children especially, and was very 
skillful in detecting sickness of soul as 
well as body, and strove to be one with 
Christ. He knew there was only one 
remedy for sickness of the soul, and did 
his best to get all to take it, although this 
was not always easy, as one must taste to 
find that the yoke of Christ is sweet and 
the burden light. 



Ordination — First Appointment 57 

So great a devotion had he to the 
Blessed Sacrament, that he never failed to 
make a visit to the Church, kneeling be- 
fore the Tabernacle, every evening before 
he retired, no matter how late it was, or 
how tired he might have been. Can we 
wonder that God loved him, for love be- 
gets love. 

In the spring of 1899 he was placed 
temporarily in charge of St. Patrick's 
Parish, Bay Shore, L. I., during the ab- 
sence of the rector, Rev. James Bobier. 

In 1902 he took charge of the parish at 
Sag Harbor for a short time. Then he 
went back to St. Patrick's Church on 
Kent Avenue. 

On April 4th, 1904, he was sent from 
St. Patrick's to St. Rita's Church, Long 
Island City, where he was made pastor. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

DR. WHITE AMONG THE 
ITALIANS. 

WHILE still a curate in St. Patrick's 
Parish, Dr. White began his work 
among the Italians. His ardent zeal for 
the salvation of souls gave him a clearer 
insight into this greatly needed work. 
There were a great many Italians in the 
parish, but most of them had fallen behind 
in their religion, from the fact that they 
had no church of their own, and while a 
few went to St. Patrick's, still the greater 
number felt out of place there. Gradu- 
ally they stopped going altogether, except 
one family. Here indeed was a white 
harvest, and no better or more enthusi- 
astic laborer could be found for this vine- 
yard. 

It was hard work at first; one family 
was the beginning. Little by little the 
number increased. Day and night he 
worked hard, accustoming himself to all 
their humors, instructing, baptising, and 



Among the Italians 59 

uniting them in marriage. He took an 
active part in everything that related to 
their interests, sharing their joys and sor- 
rows. 

He seemed to know by instinct just 
how to handle them. To some it would 
be a very hard matter, for in order to be 
successful with them, one must know just 
how to treat them in their own way; in 
fact be one with them. He did not con- 
sider it beneath his dignity to visit their 
poor and dingy apartments. He would 
console and advise them, accustoming 
himself to their likes and dislikes, and 
rendering them every assistance in their 
last hour. It was no rare thing to see 
him bending over sick beds, and to see the 
wan faces of the sufferers gazing up at 
him, as if they expected that a word from 
him would help alleviate their pain. He 
never thought of himself; no disease was 
too replusive; his Master had loved this 
work, and he thought it only an honor to 
be allowed to share in it. 

Father White's work among these souls 
is a striking proof of his humility and 
charity. He was very modest about what 



60 Among the Italians 

he was doing, and believed in the efficacy 
of the words of our dear Lord — "not to 
let our right hand know what our left 
hand does." He felt that the charity 
which did the most good was that which 
came from the heart, nourished by the 
love of God. Although assistant at St. 
Patrick's Church, his whole heart and soul 
was devoted to this little flock. The more 
miserable any one was, the more desirous 
he was to help them, another phase of his 
life which reminds us of Christ when on 
earth, for during His public life He was 
seen more frequently among the poorer 
classes. 

He had as many as he could, come to 
Mass and receive their instructions at St. 
Patrick's, but after their number in- 
creased, it became an absolute necessity 
to procure a temporary church for them 
elsewhere. 

About this time the Right Reverend 
Bishop McDonnell appointed Father Cas- 
tellano to this work. They now planned 
to get either an old house or basement in 
which to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of 
the Mass, and carry on the other services. 



Among the Italians 61 

One gloomy March morning Dr. White 
and Father Castellano started out in 
search of some place which could tempo- 
rarily be used as a Church. They looked 
at one or two stores, but for different rea- 
sons decided they were not suitable. Then 
they looked at an old hall, but this was 
not satisfactory, and so they went on with 
their search. 

Finally, on Park Avenue, between Spen- 
cer and Walworth Streets, they dis- 
covered an old building, which had for- 
merly been a school ; after this it was used 
as a Protestant church. Just then it was 
vacant. They spoke to Monseigneur 
Taaffe about this place; he accordingly 
went to Mr. J. R. Donnelly, the owner, 
and begged permission to use it, explain- 
ing the reason. Mr. Donnelly willingly 
granted them permission to use it as long 
as they cared to. 

They opened this Church on March 23d, 
1904. Dr. White blessed the building, 
and said the first Mass. He preached in 
English, and Father Castellano in Italian. 
One can easily imagine the effect this 
must have produced on the Italians, who 



62 Among the Italians 

are a warm hearted and impulsive people, 
and only too willing to respond to any 
kindness done them. Dr. White now left 
the charge of the little congregation in 
the hands of Father Castellano, although 
he still continued to help. He took him 
around to the different families. Every- 
where they were greeted with the greatest 
enthusiasm. They spoke of Dr. White as 
their Italian priest, and said he had the 
appearance of coming from the south of 
Italy. They all idolized him ; whenever 
his name happened to be mentioned one 
could see their faces light up, and no won- 
der, this being a natural result of the con- 
stant care he took of them. Father Cas- 
tellano found in him an unerring pilot and 
untiring guide. 

As there were vestments and altar ves- 
sels needed for the little church, Dr. 
White got the Children of Mary of St. 
Patrick's Parish interested, and with their 
assistance was able to get some of the 
necessary things, so that nothing was 
lacking to accomplish the end he had in 
view — the greater glory of God. 



In the S panish- American War 63 

There was another serious difficulty to 
be contended with. The building used 
for the church did not present a very at- 
tractive appearance, and as the Italians 
are a race that like everything showy, it 
did not suit them at all, and they would 
have much preferred staying home than 
to go to such a shabby place. It took all 
Dr. White's skill and good influence to 
get them to the different services. This 
was the commencement of what is now 
St. Lucy's Church. 



CHAPTER IX. 

DR. WHITE IN THE SPANISH- 
AMERICAN WAR. 
URING the Spanish-American War, 



D 



the Right Reverend Bishop McDon- 
nell appointed Dr. White Chaplain of the 
Fourteenth Regiment, New York Volun- 
teers, who were then stationed at Camp 
Thomas, Chickamauga Park. He was 
now 28 years of age and his health some- 
what delicate. The appointment occa- 
sioned some surprise, and a great deal of 



64 In the Spanish-American War 

pleasure, as well as some disappointment. 
The surprise was occasioned by the fact 
that it was generally supposed the Rev- 
erend Father Chrysostom would be the 
successful candidate. Besides this a Ger- 
man priest from the Island of Nassau was 
also mentioned as a candidate, as he was 
familiar with the hot summer climate. 
However, the matter had been submitted 
to the men of the Regiment, and they de- 
cided in favor of a Brooklyn priest, leav- 
ing the selection to Bishop McDonnell, 
who was then at Saratoga. 

One day he received the following tele- 
gram from Bishop McDonnell: "You are 
assigned to the 14th Regiment, New York 
Volunteers, and will start at once for 
Chickamauga Park." 

Having received a summons, Dr. White 
started the next day for the South, at 
12.05, on the Baltimore and Ohio train. 
He was considered an accomplished 
priest, possessing many attributes which 
would render his services at the front of 
great value. He endeavored as far as lay 
in his power to have those who were 
Catholics live according to their faith, and 



In the Spanish-American War 65 

thus set an example for their other breth- 
ren. Many were the occasions where 
Colonel Foote's tent was used as a con- 
fessional. 

Before taps they would assemble and 
all enjoy a few hours together, recreating 
themselves with a medley of songs and 
music, recalling memories of bygone days, 
and many were the occasions when he 
would take out his violin, and play for 
their entertainment. The world might 
criticize and perhaps be scandalized at 
this innocent mirth, but souls who live 
purely for God are the only ones who 
know what real recreation means. Some 
persons who pretend to be spiritual are 
not always the most desirable associates, 
They endeavor to repress all gaiety and 
merriment, and those who happen to be 
in their company feel unduly restrained. 
This was not so with Dr. White, as he 
was always a most delightful companion, 
and no one enjoyed a good joke more than 
he. His good natured smile and hearty 
laughter made him a great favorite on 
social occasions. His unusual cheerful- 
ness gained the love and confidence of all 



66 In the S panish- American War 

at camp, and under his guidance and re- 
ligious instruction, many were made bet- 
ter for knowing him. 

There was always something happen- 
ing in the camps, which went a great deal 
toward relieving the monotony of the 
long days, and not a little was in the line 
of innocent amusement. The camp mules 
furnished a great deal of fun for the men. 
There were 106 mules to each company. 
On one occasion the blacksmiths wanted 
to shoe a mule. They tied the front and 
hind feet together on one side. The mule 
stood on the other front foot and kicked 
out viciously with the remaining hind one 
until finally he fell over. 

Then on another occasion one of the 
mules took a notion to run away. Two 
of the men thought they would capture 
him as he dashed along, and they accord- 
ingly jumped at him, each catching hold 
of an ear. The mule stopped for an in- 
stant, as if taking them all in, then threw 
out his front feet, sending the soldiers 
sprawling, and darted off again on his 
search for adventure. 



In the S panish- American War 67 

That there was so much sickness in the 
camp, was due principally to the inclem- 
ency of the weather. 

Dr. White was sent to look after the 
Catholics in the 14th Regiment, but after 
his arrival the work branched out consid- 
erably, for he cared not only for the sick 
soldiers in the Fourteenth, but also for 
those in the Eighth and Tenth New York 
Regiments, who were in the camp. He 
was always cheerful, affable and encour- 
aging. His self-sacrificing work among 
them endeared him to them more than 
ever. 

Dr. White related that it rained most 
of the time. Often they would light a 
fire, but the drenching rain would extin- 
guish it. 

There were ninety-three cases of ty- 
phoid in the camp of the 14th Regiment. 
Here he spent many weary hours faith- 
fully and tenderly caring for the stricken 
soldiers. His presence among them was 
always a source of great consolation. 

One of the noticeable features of life 
at the camps, and which made itself felt 
by all who visited there, was the great 



68 In the Spanish- American War 

profanity. Dr. White did much to abol- 
ish this evil by establishing a Holy Name 
Society in each battalion. 

Dr. White returned to Brooklyn, after a 
five months' service, on the hospital train, 
being the first section carrying the sick 
soldiers to arrive in Jersey City. During 
the journey he continued his labor of love ; 
in fact he never stopped until he saw that 
every patient had been comfortably set- 
tled in the hospital. Then when he saw 
that there was nothing more he could pos- 
sibly do, he went on a retreat to the Do- 
minican Convent, at Monticello, N. Y. 
While there symptoms of typhoid fever 
developed. He returned to St. Patrick's 
Rectory, where he had been assistant be- 
fore he was ordered to go to Chickamauga. 
From here he was removed to St. Peter's 
Hospital. Here the disease reached its 
height, and his condition was for a time 
considered very critical. During this ill- 
ness he was so patient that he was a mar- 
vel to all. This was the more remarkable 
when one considers the active life he led, 
and how hard it must have been for him 
to watch the days go slowly by, while the 



In the Spanish- American War 69 

disease was running its course. What 
makes it all the more aggravating is, that 
once the crisis is passed, there are still 
many weary weeks of waiting for the re- 
turn of lost forces. 

After recovering sufficiently from his 
illness, Dr. White was sent by Bishop 
McDonnell, to recuperate at Monticello. 
Here under the good care given him, he 
slowly regained the health that he had 
lost, and was able to start out afresh, fol- 
lowing the path he had laid out for him- 
self in the beginning. 

In 1909, Company F of the 14th Regi- 
ment presented him with a gold badge of 
the Third Army Corps. In the center of 
this was the monogram of the Holy Name 
Society, which association Dr. White had 
organized among the men. 

They also made him an honorary mem- 
ber of the Regiment. 



CHAPTER X. 

SUPERVISOR OF CATHOLIC 
CHARITIES. 

IN 1899 the Bishop of the Diocese wise- 
ly selected Dr. White for the office of 
Supervisor of Catholic Charities. He was 
peculiarly fitted for this branch of the 
work, and up to the time of his death 
filled the position with great credit. Un- 
der his supervision, great work has been 
done in the diocesan charities. His work 
among the poor, his knowledge of their 
different needs, his broad sympathy and 
charity, all combined to make him a pow- 
erful leader in this line of work. Without 
these qualities it would not have been 
possible for him to accomplish what he 
did. There is so much attached to this 
work, so much needed in the line of pru- 
dence and wisdom, and the knowing just 
how to act in each matter, that it would 
tax to the utmost the skill of an average 
man. He seemed to be possessed of the 



Supervisor of Catholic Charities 71 

knack of handling the work, which won 
universal admiration. 

His method of organizing and govern- 
ing was such that no discord ever ap- 
peared in any of the charities with which 
he was associated. 

He contrived, in connection with this, 
to show to the world the Church in a 
social light as weft as a spiritual one, so 
that the more she became known the more 
the respect of those outside the fold grew 
for her. As for the man himself, people 
of every creed and nationality admired 
him. Those of no religion at all looked 
up to him with respect, and while they 
might not agree with him in everything, 
yet they were not unsympathetic. In fact 
many, after watching and listening to his 
words, and understanding his principles, 
were led to believe that there must be 
something in it after all. 

As he advanced further in the work, as 
he passed through the fire of experience 
which left many scars, he branched out 
in the work, not confining himself to any 
one field, but embracing everything that 
came under the head of Charity, so that 



72 Supervisor of Catholic Charities 

to-day his name is a familiar one in that 
line. 

As an example, mentioning only the in- 
stitutions: there are ten hospitals in the 
diocese where all the patients that cannot 
be accommodated in the public hospitals, 
are sent by the Charity Commissioners. 
Then there are about a dozen institutions 
for caring for children who are destitute, 
besides the new institution at Port Jef- 
ferson for the special care of children with 
mental or physical disabilities. Then 
there are homes for the aged and infirm, 
a shelter for homeless women, a house of 
refuge, as well as a community of nursing 
sisters who visit the sick poor in their 
own homes. In these institutions a num- 
ber of different religious communities are 
engaged, all having the same object in 
view, namely, that of serving God in the 
person of His poor. 

Dr. White was often to be found at 
meetings of charitable societies, on whose 
Board no Catholics were to be found. He 
was so broad in his views, had such a fund 
of good common sense, was so thorough 
in his knowledge, and so clear in his ut- 



Supervisor of Catholic Charities 73 

terance of his ideas, that his presence was 
ever welcome, and did much to rid them 
of prejudice and antagonistic feelings. 
But with all his liberal courtesy he stood 
rock-like on Catholic principles. 

There was a certain characteristic about 
his manner of speaking; something about 
his personality which seemed to raise him 
above the average man, and caused him 
to make friends of all he met. Then 
again the dignity of his office as a priest 
of God shed a halo around him, and 
seemed to speak of higher things, demon- 
strating fully the purity of his life. He 
has left behind him a brilliant record as 
Director of Charities, an example to those 
who come after. 

Dr. White could always be relied upon 
for help. To him every man was God's 
child. It mattered little whether it be 
Protestant, Jew, or Catholic ; where need 
cried out, religion or race meant nothing 
— all were his brethren. 

At the Constitutional Convention in 
1894, the so-called American Protective 
Association seemed in a fair way of win- 
ning the day, but by his help a continua- 



74 Supervisor of Catholic Charities 

tion was secured of the state and muni- 
cipal aid in behalf of charities, this having 
been so seriously threatened. 

In caring for the sick, relieving the 
poor, in fact everything that related to 
the relief of humanity, Dr. White was to 
be found in the front rank, working hand 
in hand with those other noble but un- 
known souls, whose lives, as his was, are 
spent in caring for their brethren. 

He would stop in the middle of his char- 
itable and parish work to go to the Cath- 
olic Truth Society's office, and there with 
much pleasure would reply to some letters 
of inquiry from people of other creeds, 
in different parts of the country, or it 
might be to help some brother in religion 
who was having difficulty in upholding 
the Catholic doctrine in some far-off town. 
He was forever answering, through the 
newspapers, attacks against the Church, 
its practices and principles. 

His thorough and broad-minded spirit, 
together with his splendid intellectual en- 
dowment, made him always welcome as a 
speaker in public gatherings throughout 
the country. He was a familiar figure at 



Supervisor of Catholic Charities 75 

the conventions of many of the charity or- 
ganizations throughout the eastern part 
of the United States. Here all classes 
were gathered together, Jew and Gentile, 
as well as those of no belief at all, and 
while there could not help but be some 
difference of opinion, yet all listened to 
his words with admiration and respect, 
and in the end the ideas he suggested 
were generally acted upon. This is all 
the more to be wondered at when one 
considers that these were all men of the 
highest culture, but they knew he had a 
worthy object in view; they could see 
that his heart was filled with sorrow and 
pity for the suffering poor, for the aged, 
the crippled, and orphan children, and he 
knew what he was talking about. That 
he was honest and upright was apparent 
to all, and no matter how serious the mat- 
ter was, whether it was a question of the 
failure of an institution or anything else, 
if there was anything dishonorable to be 
used in the means to make successful is- 
sue, he would have no part in it. 

There was nothing in the form of suf- 
fering or misery that he was not inter- 



76 Supervisor of Catholic Charities 

ested in. This did not amount to just 
saying a kind word, or giving a little 
money, but his whole sympathy was 
aroused, and he was always to be found 
in the different fields of activities, advis- 
ing and planning how things could be 
done with the best results, thus banishing 
many a dark cloud from the horizon of 
those who were trying to help struggling 
mankind, but sometimes met with great 
perplexities and difficulties. Every dollar 
he possessed or could obtain from others 
was at their disposal. 

Honorable men are not slow to find out 
an unselfish, disinterested worker, and it 
was these qualities which made them 
select him to be Vice-President of the 
Brooklyn Juvenile Probation Association, 
he having held this office from its begin- 
ning in 1906 until his death. Dr. White 
was a firm believer in having children 
brought up in the home, and he was al- 
ways against a home being broken up. 
Whenever he appeared at the Children's 
Court, the driver of the van decided there 
would be no work for him, for he was the 






Supervisor of Catholic Charities 77 

children's friend, although if they were in 
the wrong he never defended them. 

His interest in children who had no 
natural protectors was never lost ; he saw 
all the difficulties that stood in their way. 
He knew what they would have to con- 
tend with once they left the institutions 
to battle with the world. Whether to 
keep them until they could help them- 
selves, or to try and find new homes for 
them while in their early years, this was 
the question that was undecided. Dr. 
White favored the latter course, and was 
an active member of the Catholic Home 
Bureau. 

So as to be sure of proper protection 
for children discharged to relatives and 
friends, the system was formed whereby 
every home was investigated before the 
child was allowed to go. This was uni- 
versally accepted, and the cost of main- 
taining it was unhesitatingly assumed. 

He was one of the most active support- 
ers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 
and rarely was he absent from the meet- 
ings. It was at one of these meetings 
that a place of recreation for children in 



78 Supervisor of Catholic Charities 

the summer was suggested by him, the 
fruit of which is the Fresh Air Home at 
Freeport, L. I., which each year affords 
an outing of two weeks to hundreds of 
poor children. Their happy little faces is 
all the reward that is needed to show that 
the project was a good one. 

He was also a member of the Board of 
Managers of the New York State Hos- 
pital for the Insane, and filled that posi- 
tion admirably. 

He was one of the members of the Lo- 
cal Committee appointed by Mayor Gay- 
nor to receive the members of the Inter- 
national Prison Congress, and was after- 
wards made a member of this organiza- 
tion having its meeting in Washington, 
D. C, in 1910. He was so thoroughly 
versed in all matters relating to the con- 
ditions existing in prison affairs, that 
every effort was made by the foreign 
delegation to have him with them on 
their tour of inspection throughout the 
United States, but great as the honor was, 
he was obliged to decline it. Nor will 
those who happened to be at the meeting 
in Washington of the First National Cath- 






Supervisor of Catholic Charities 79 

olic Congress, forget the discourse he 
gave, every word of which seemed to 
come from the bottom of his heart, and 
found echo in the minds of his hearers. 

As a Director of the International Cath- 
olic Truth Society and Chairman of the 
Publication Committee, he could always 
be found ready and willing to talk over the 
most efficacious methods of correcting at- 
tacks that had been unjustly made on the 
Church, and his writings, especially on 
the labor question, placing the position of 
the Church in its proper light, were often 
to be found. 

Years may come and years may go, but 
it will be a long while before any one can 
be found who will be able to accomplish 
what Dr. White has done, and still hold 
his place in the hearts of the people. 



CHAPTER XL 
SETTLEMENT WORK. 

MONSEIGNEUR WHITE founded 
the Brooklyn Catholic Settlement 
work. He planned it on the lines of non- 
sectarian social efforts of like nature, but 
differing radically from them in the posi- 
tive Catholic instruction and influences 
which form the dominant and most con- 
structive force of the Catholic Settlements 
of Brooklyn. This is his work, and it 
typifies so clearly the two controlling mo- 
tives of all that he did — love of religion 
and love of humanity. A very true ex- 
pression of his spiritual life is shown in 
the work he organized to preserve the 
faith, and lighten the burdens of those 
who come seeking a new home in a 
strange land. 

As Supervisor of Catholic Charities 
Monseigneur White was, by a process of 
natural development, drawn into a wide 
study of the social and industrial condi- 
tions of modern times, and he became a 



Settlement Work 81 

social worker of far-seeing views, and 
with a very sensitive realization of the 
tremendous social responsibility of Cath- 
olics. He felt that the Settlement move- 
ment provided not only an opportunity 
for help in many ways to those of unfor- 
tunate environment, but it was a practical 
means of developing a social conscience 
in people of wealth and leisure, too many 
of whom he found utterly oblivious to the 
extent of the claim that their poorer 
brethren have upon all who profess Chris- 
tianity. 

Monseigneur White died wdiile his Set- 
tlement work was still in its infancy. It 
has been left to others to further develop 
his missionary effort into an efficient 
means of preserving in the faith of their 
fathers, and training into loyal disciplined 
adherents to Catholic practices, the thou- 
sands of Catholic emigrants who come to 
live among us. 

Commissioned by the Right Rev. Bishop 
Charles E. McDonnell, to care for the 
spiritual interests of the foreign popula- 
tion of the diocese, Monseigneur White, 
in March, 1903, called a meeting of Cath- 



82 Settlement Work 

olic women belonging to the recently 
formed Women's Auxiliary of the St. Vin- 
cent de Paul Society. As a result of the 
meeting two committees were formed to 
conduct catechism, sewing and singing 
classes for the Italian children of Front 
Street. One committee worked in the 
school hall of St. Ann's Church at the 
corner of Front and Gold Streets; the 
other held similar classes in the rooms of 
the Immaculate Conception Mission on 
Front Street, near the Brooklyn Bridge. 

The St. Ann's Committee each year has 
enlarged the scope of its work, and uses 
for its additional work rooms in the par- 
ish club buildings. It has a future full of 
promise. 

The Front Street Committee worked in 
the Immaculate Conception Mission only 
three months. In the following October 
the work of the Committee was trans- 
ferred to the basement of the Church of 
St. Michael the Archangel, in Lawrence 
Street. Here a kindergarten was opened 
in connection with the sewing classes. In 
October, 1906, the basement of St. Mich- 
ael's Church having been found unsuited 



Settlement Work 83 

to the growing needs of the work, the 
lower part of a house, including a store, 
on Bridge Street, was rented by the Com- 
mittee. The sewing classes were graded 
and systematized, boys' clubs and a 
library were added to the activities, and 
the work was called the "St. Vincent de 
Paul Settlement. ,, 

The city making claim, in February, 
1907, upon the property occupied by the 
settlement, for the bridge extension, it 
again necessitated a removal of the work 
to other quarters. A building in Gold 
Street was accordingly rented for the pur- 
pose. 

In the beginning Monseigneur White 
had in mind simply the conducting of re- 
ligious and industrial classes in connec- 
tion with the parish churches in the 
neighborhoods where there seemed to be 
the greatest need for such endeavors. But 
there gradually grew upon him a realiza- 
tion of the good to be accomplished by a 
settlement house, which, under lay man- 
agement, should, through the guidance of 
its Spiritual Director, work in co-opera- 



84 Settlement Work 

tion and sympathy, with the parish organ- 
ization to which it was nearest. 

Through the patient, persistent efforts 
of Monseigneur White, whose courage in 
a long struggle against apathy, opposi- 
tion, and bitter comments, never failed, 
success was achieved, which made it pos- 
sible to continue the work already begun, 
and to organize three more committees to 
work in other sections of the city. One 
started in St. Joseph's Parochial School, 
one in the Parish Hall of the Church of 
the Visitation of which Monseigneur 
White was the pastor, and one for the 
Spanish colony, which holds its classes in 
the School attached to the Church of the 
Assumption in Middagh Street. 

For the sake of efficiency, in March, 
1908, a house was rented for the work; 
the committees were consolidated into an 
Association called the Catholic Settlement 
Association of Brooklyn. The work of 
the settlement house was given in charge 
of the St. Vincent de Paul Settlement 
Committee, and was called the St. Helen's 
Settlement. 



Settlement Work 85 

St. Helen's Settlement, now located at 
181 Concord Street, but still conducted by- 
volunteer workers, with its big sewing 
school, its vigorous young men's club, 
its classes in cooking, embroidery, metal 
work, folk dancing, drawing, choral sing- 
ing, its library of Catholic books, the 
story telling, the piano lessons, and prac- 
tical hours for boys and girls, its evening 
parties and meetings of the Madeline- 
Sophie Guild for grown-ups; the after- 
noons of games and diversion for the lit- 
tle ones ; its Christmas and Easter festivi- 
ties when needy neighbors are included in 
the number of those to be made happy, is 
the outgrowth of the catechism and sew- 
ing classes established in the Italian colo- 
nies in Front Street by Monseigneur 
White ten years ago. 

The material advantages held forth by 
the Association are, it is hoped, slight in 
comparison to the spiritual and educa- 
tional benefits, which is the fundamental 
reason for the existence of a Catholic set- 
tlement house. Without the religious 
element a Catholic settlement would be a 
mere duplication of the work of the non- 



86 Settlement Work 

sectarian institutions. The classes and 
parties, the lectures, the entertainments, 
and the visiting in the homes of the poor, 
have as their ultimate object the promo- 
tion of the religious interests of both the 
giver and recipient. 

But while the religious motive is the 
prime one, the social or humanitarian 
spirit is absolutely essential to successful 
settlement work. A settlement without 
the principles of humanity is not a possi- 
bility. This Monseigneur White clearly 
realized, and it was because of the true 
priestly love of humanity that he pos- 
sessed, which gave him an insight into the 
needs of God's creatures, and was the 
secret of his rare power. 

He writes, "A settlement is the bring- 
ing together in a spirit of kindliness, by 
means of classes and various kinds of so- 
cial assemblage, those whose different en- 
vironments have kept them heretofore too 
widely separated. It is the creation of an 
atmosphere of hope and friendly service, 
of restfulness, of harmony and happiness 
among sordid surroundings, for overtired 
and undernourished lives. It is the pro- 



Settlement Work 87 

tection and guidance of youthful energies, 
the opening of the door of opportunity to 
those to whom their Creator has given 
capacities for a fuller life, and thus it is 
the expression of a truth we believe but 
do not always practice ; the truth that all 
men are brothers; all are one in Jesus 
Christ. Of the sincerity of his belief in 
everyone of the above phrases, each of his 
visits to the settlement gave undeniable 
testimony. 

Into it he brought truly "an atmosphere 
of hope and friendly service ,, ; he gave evi- 
dence that "all men are brothers — all are 
children of one Father." He came as a 
shining light illumining the pathway to 
everlasting joy, uplifting all with whom 
he came in contact. Children felt the in- 
spiration of his presence ; men and women 
led better lives because of it ; the sick were 
strengthened; wanderers from the fold 
were drawn back to it; pessimism was 
blown as a mist before the sun by his pure 
love for his Master and for his fellow man. 
With Monseigneur White the spirit came 
ever before the letter of the law ; the mo- 
tive prompting the deed was always con- 



88 



Settlement Work 



sidered, so he could wait for success with 
patience and with the calmness that is 
born of firm faith. 

Without his wonderful personality- 
Catholic settlement work in Brooklyn 
could never have reached even its present 
modest state of development. He watched 
over and directed its growth with unceas- 
ing care. If others wearied and fell away 
it but served to spur him on to harder ef- 
forts to replace them, so that the poor and 
humble to whom the settlements had 
come to mean something of happiness and 
help might not be deprived of its benefits. 
Those of his friends who never saw Mon- 
seigneur White in his settlements, can 
perhaps never know how fully he believed 
in and loved the work. 

He was so happy there : he would watch 
to greet the same faces year after year, 
rejoicing in the continuity of the influence 
thus evidenced, and insisting that replies 
to his inquiries be made by the people in 
their native tongue. He would play his 
violin or sing with the children the Can- 
zoni he learned in his Roman student 
days, when he also gained a knowledge 



Settlement Work 89 

of the particular needs of these descend- 
ants of an ancient race. He applauded 
with generous enthusiasm the humble ef- 
forts of the little ones, and was moved to 
tears by the simple gifts. His sympathy- 
was ever responsive to any demand upon 
it; he was in very truth pastor, leader, 
friend and father. 

As a social worker Monseigneur White 
was distinctly progressive. With an in- 
telligent appreciation of present social 
conditions, he was alert whenever it in- 
volved no conflict with his office as a 
priest of the Catholic Church, to be among 
the first who were working to better the 
evils, and to lighten the sufferings he 
found in the world around him. His 
spirit was thoroughly Catholic. The lives 
of the early Christians were the moulds 
from which many of his ideas were 
formed. The perfect poise of his mind 
saved him from being drawn into faddish 
or erratic schemes of reform, but he was 
always eager to adopt sane, constructive 
measures for the prevention or alleviation 
of suffering and evil. 



90 Settlement Work 

His plans for the future of the Catholic 
settlements were not definitely thought 
out; he had no premonition of his early- 
death, but a logical following of his meth- 
ods would clearly seem to be the pursu- 
ance of an orthodox, progressive, compre- 
hensive policy, with marked emphasis on 
preventive, though recognizing the neces- 
sity of ameliorative work. A cordial co- 
operation whenever possible with other 
social agencies, was characteristic of Mon- 
seigneur White's attitude toward those 
who were striving, as was he, although in 
other ways, to make the world a better 
place in which to live. 

May it be granted that to his memory 
will be paid the tribute he would have 
asked for — that of following the example 
he so beautifully gave us by his own life, 
that of loving, joyous service to suffering, 
needy humanity for the sake of the Cre- 
ator of us all. 



CHAPTER XII. 

APPOINTMENT TO THE 
VISITATION PARISH. 

ON account of the heavy weight of 
Dr. White's duties as Supervisor 
of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of 
Brooklyn, he was transferred from St. 
Rita's Church, Long Island City, and 
made pastor of the Church of the Visita- 
tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the 
corner of Verona and Richards Streets. 
This was on the feast of the Visitation, 
July 2d, 1904. 

When he assumed the pastorate the 
steeple of this church, which was a new 
one had not been completed, and he imme- 
diately set about the task of constructing 
the present spire 

The Visitation Parish has about 1,500 
families, constituting a congregation of 
7,500 English speaking communicants, 
and 2,000 Italians. 

As Dr. White was educated in Rome, 
and spoke Italian fluently, it was an easy 



92 Appointment to the Visitation 



matter for him to minister to this element 
of the congregation. 

In so large a parish it was only natural 
that there should be a great number of 
activities, both devotional and social. 

The care of this vast parish, together 
with his duties as Supervisor of Catholic 
Charities, made him one of the busiest 
clergyman of the diocese, but he was 
equal to the task. 

He had the personality of one born to 
command, yet he was kindness itself. And 
he bore his faculties so meekly that he of- 
fended no one. He was a master of de- 
tail. Nothing was ever overlooked, and 
no matter how much of his time or 
strength it required, nothing was ever 
shirked or left undone. 

Nowhere perhaps was the beauty and 
perfection of Dr. White's character so 
evident as in his home life. To those who 
had the happy privilege of being asso- 
ciated with him in the intimate relations 
of priestly communal life at 98 Richards 
Street, his example will be ever an inspir- 
ation and a help. He was an ideal rector. 
He was a kind, gentle and generous mas- 



Appointment to the Visitation 93 

ter. He commanded respect; he won af- 
fection and passionate loyalty. Many men 
and many good men whom we admire 
and esteem very much at a distance, lose a 
good deal of their attractiveness on a 
closer view. There is the illusion of near- 
ness as well as the illusion of distance, and 
men for the most part require a proper 
perspective to appear at their best. When 
they come too near their finer qualities 
are obscured by flaws and roughness un- 
perceived before. 

But the peculiar charm of Dr. White 
was proof against the microscopic scru- 
tiny, and intimacy only enhanced the 
beauty of a mind which near or far com- 
manded the esteem and loving veneration 
of men. And he never became too inti- 
mate. Even in his playful, boyish moods, 
and they were many, there was something 
about him which forbade familiarity or 
undue freedom. He never lost the dig- 
nity of the priest, nor the nobility of a 
Christ-like spirit. 

His days were ordered according to a 
simple system. He arose early, generally 
about five o'clock. He always said the 



94 Appointment to the Visitation 

early Mass at 6.15, except on Sundays and 
at solemn functions, when he took his 
turn with the other priests. Before Mass 
he spent the greater part of an hour in 
meditation, sitting or kneeling in the sac- 
risty with his arms folded. He never 
talked before saying Mass except when 
compelled to do so, and then the fewest 
possible words. 

To the casual observer his demeanor 
before Mass would seem to savor a little 
of moroseness. But it was only the grav- 
ity imposed by a deep reverential sense of 
the great sacrifice he was about to offer 
in the name of Christ, of whom he was 
the anointed minister. After Mass he al- 
ways made his thanksgiving before the 
altar. Then he had a light breakfast. 
However, if he had any morning Commu- 
nion calls to make he always made them 
before breakfast. He did not like to keep 
his poor invalids waiting and fasting. 

After he had breakfast he went to his 
room and looked through his mail. Every 
morning he received a very large quantity 
of letters, each one of which he answered 
promptly. Punctuality was his chief de- 



Appointment to the Visitation 95 

light, and proscrastination in the matter 
of correspondence his pet abhorrence. 
Nobody had to wait anxiously and fret- 
fully for Dr. White's response to a letter 
of any kind. If the reply did not come by 
return mail the Doctor was out of town. 

A western priest, a friend of one of the 
assistants, who had enjoyed Dr. White's 
hospitality for a few days, sent, on his 
return home, a short note expressing grat- 
itude and appreciation. He had a reply 
just as quickly as the mail could bring it, 
containing a graceful acknowledgment of 
his note, and in a kindly, humorous vein, 
a statement to the effect that whenever 
he returned to 98 Richards Street, he 
would find the front door open, and a 
room in readiness. 

These morning hours were strenuous 
ones, as he not only got through with his 
bulky pile of correspondence, but he also 
attended to his parochial duties. 

When he went forth on his various 
missions of public activity about nine 
o'clock, as he usually did, everything was 
finished, compact, and in place. Nothing 



96 Appointment to the Visitation 

had been overlooked or neglected. There 
were no loose threads hanging in the air. 

He had always returned in time for din- 
ner at 12.30. His diet was always simple. 
After dinner he generally read a book for 
an hour or two. He had a strong taste 
for reading, and he always managed to 
find time in the midst of his many labors 
to read one or two books every week. In 
fact up until about two days before his 
death, when his poor, weak hands were 
unable to hold the book, and his sight had 
become too poor to decipher the reading, 
he would be found with book in hand. 

In the late afternoon he usually went 
out again to attend to his public engage- 
ments, and was home in time for supper 
at six o'clock. After this he attended to 
parish calls, and when not called out to 
lecture or to attend a meeting he spent 
the evening either in reading, or prepar- 
ing manuscripts. He retired about 10.30. 

Before going to bed he said the beads 
in his room, and then stole out for a good- 
night visit to the Tabernacle. He paid a 
visit there after every meal, and he was a 
deeply pious man, and chief and by far 



Appointment to the Visitation 97 

his greatest devotion, was to Jesus in the 
Blessed Sacrament. His best and most 
forcible sermons were always on this 
theme. 

He knew his parish well, as he had a 
wonderful memory for names and faces. 
During his first year he made a personal 
visitation, or census, of the whole parish, 
and it is no exaggeration to say that dur- 
ing his whole time in the parish he never 
forgot a family met in that visitation. 

His work among his parishioners was 
quiet and unobtrusive. He did not make 
himself common by too much expansive 
parading on the streets. He stole along 
with a smile and a pleasant salute for 
everybody. His manner did not invite 
freedom, but reverent kindly love. 

Only when he got into the Italian quar- 
ter did he suffer violence from a popular 
affection which knew no restraint. The 
dark-eyed, olive-skinned children mobbed 
him, clambored around him, kissed his 
hands, clung on to his coat tails, and 
twined themselves around his knees with 
a freedom and vigor which must have 
caused him embarrassment as well as 



98 Appointment to the Visitation 

pleasure. A few kindly words, a few gen- 
tle pats on the generally tousy heads, and 
again they melted away. 

There was not a poor person in his par- 
ish whom he did not know ; there was no 
poor home he did not visit. 

His purse and heart were open to al- 
most every appeal. The extent of his se- 
cret charity will never be known. He 
died almost penniless. He was so sensi- 
tive in the matter of charity that he could 
send nobody away empty-handed. Va- 
grants with every mark of their profession 
about them most outrageously palpable, 
were always sure to obtain kind entertain- 
ment from him. They were human, and 
some accident or misfortune, for which 
perhaps they were not responsible, had 
marred their lives. 

Innumerable men came to the Visita- 
tion who wanted to go to some other 
state. Dr. White was always willing to 
help them with the fare. His great de- 
light was to meet a polyglot mendicant 
from northern Italy who could express 
his wants eloquently in half a dozen lan- 
guages, none of them English. Almost 



Appointment to the Visitation 99 

invariably these men knew English also, 
but their knowledge of that language was 
deep-seated and hard to discover. The 
Doctor's linguistic faculty delighted in 
these encounters. His love for languages 
was ardent, and was lessened in no way 
by the fact that he saw many men who 
while armed with a quiver full of tongues, 
had to go around and beg for a living. 

One day one of the assistants was en- 
deavoring to put a specimen of this ro- 
mantic tribe out of the house, by shouting 
at him in barbarous Italian and still more 
barbarous French, when the Doctor came 
to the rescue. He made a rich discovery. 
The man was a son of a professor or 
prince. He had been all over the world, 
had visited many people and cities of 
men ; had spoken in every lingo under the 
sun, and was now stranded in Erie Basin 
without a penny, best clothes in pawn, 
and his ship sailing in the morning. Need- 
less to say he obtained the wherewithal to 
redeem his clothes, and sail away in 
search of further adventures. 



w 



CHAPTER XIII. 
AT THE VISITATION. 

HILE Dr. White was at the Visita- 
tion his home was the rendezvous 
of many distinguished churchmen. Dr. 
McGinley of Philadelphia, now Bishop 
McGinley of Neuva Caceres, P. I., was a 
frequent visitor, as also was Dr. Kerby of 
Washington. Dr. Ryan of St. Paul and 
Dr. Driscoll of New York came frequent- 
ly. Father McSorley of the Paulist Fa- 
thers made occasional visits, and not in- 
frequently there would come three or four 
of his friends and comrades from the dio- 
cese, the bright, congenial spirits whom 
he especially loved. They formed little 
dinner parties, and conversation, whether 
grave or gay, but always of a high and in- 
teresting order, was never lacking. 

He had a strong and well cultivated 
taste for music. Often in the evening he 
played the violin with piano accompani- 
ment by Mr. M , the organist, and 

when tired of playing sang in his fine bari- 



At the Visitation 101 

tone voice. He always sang Italian songs. 
His purpose in singing was vocal exercise 
and culture. He never sang for effect. 

One of his strongest characteristics was 
his sense of humor. It helped him as it 
helps all men so endowed, to self control 
and happiness. His perception of a joke 
was keen; and at the psychological mo- 
ment gay and happy laughter would burst 
from him, surrendering himself to the im- 
pulse of merriment with all the abandon 
and spontaneity of a boy. This sense of 
humor without anything else, would have 
made him a very pleasant man to live 
with. It aided him in his continual ef- 
forts to brighten the lives of others, es- 
pecially the members of his household, 
and to impart to them a touch of the glad- 
ness and sunshine which habitually filled 
his own heart. 

On one occasion the altar boys, through 
the priest in charge of their Society, sent 
him a very formal typewritten document. 
In this document they petitioned the use 
of a large room under the Sacristy, where 
they stated they desired to meet during 
the winter evenings, to hold high con- 



102 At the Visitation 

verse, play chequers, to read good books, 
to keep off the street, and to perfect them- 
selves, by study and examination, in the 
Latin and rubrics of the Mass. He fell in 
with the humor of the situation immedi- 
ately, and sent the following formidably 
formal reply: 

Dilecto Fatri Nostro. 
Sac. Ass. 

Ecclesiae Visitationis B. V. M., 
Brooklyniensis, 

Moderatoris Societatis Puerorum Altari 
Inservientium. 

Salutem. 

Jam exeunte anno, dum mundus christ- 
ianus adhuc nativitatis Dmi festa celebra? 
ret, libellum quoddam, juvenum quorum- 
dem, Societatis Puerorum altari inservi- 
entium nomnibus absignatum. Nobis di- 
latum est, im quo subscripti humillime 
petunt usum ecclesiae inferioris partis, 
cuiusdam cubiculi, ubi, experientia doctus, 
credo se occuparent saltibus et certamini- 
bus necnou ubi sine periculo alae operam 
darent. 






At the Visitation 103 

Jam re mature perpensa, eorum peti- 
tionem dolenti animo rejicimus et tibi, 
horum puerorum amico eorumque socie- 
tatis moderatori rationes pro responsione 
negativa manifestimus. 

Hi pueri etiamsi de parochia hac bene 
mereant eo quod fideliter amanterque al- 
tari deserviumt, tamen nimia juventute 
laborant, mobilitate animi, potiusquam 
Spiritu gravi dominati; ad privilegium de 
quo est sermo, parati non sunt. 

Ulterius cum scholas elementares fre- 
quentent opus est ut in studiis et litteris 
omne tempus consument. Hisce adductis 
rationibus responsionem negativam ad 
eorum petitionem dandam esse censuimus. 

Si, Deo favente, palaestram, anno pre- 
sente erigere possimus, nulla est ratio cur 
illius usum saltern una vice in hebdomada 
non habeant ad sese in arte fumatoris ex- 
ercendos. 

Gulielmus Joannes De Albis, 

Rector. 
(L.S.) 

Datum en Aedibus 

Visitationis die IX Januarii, MCMVI. 



104 At the Visitation 

In many other such ways he brightened 
and diversified the days of that privileged 
few who lived in happy, intimate yet ever 
respectful association with him in his 
home at 98 Richards Street. His voice 
was never heard in reproof, as he was gen- 
tle and tactful to a degree that precluded 
the possibility of hurting anybody's sensi- 
bilities. It could be said of his house 
what can be said of very few houses in 
Christendom, that no angry word was 
ever heard beneath its roof, no unkindly 
feeling ever existed between its inmates. 
They passed their days without a shadow 
of mutual offense. There stood one in 
the midst of them whose bright presence 
made all dark and suspicious feelings lie 
down and be ashamed. 

When he died everything in his room, 
everything in his accounts, everything in 
his books was found in perfect order and 
shapeliness. His desire was for order and 
peace. He realized them in his own life ; 
he helped to realize them in the life of 
everyone with whom he came in contact. 
No greater praise can be given to a man. 



At the Visitation 105 

A young man visiting friends in the 
Visitation Parish tells how, on warm sum- 
mer evenings, a number of the young peo- 
ple would all go down to a large park not 
very far from the Visitation Church. 
There they would all be laughing and en- 
joying themselves not noticing the fact 
that it was growing late. All at once he 
claims they would get up, saying, "Let 
us go/' Looking around he saw other 
benches were also being vacated. On 
asking why this was, and how it happened 
they all went at the same time, he was 
told that "Father White was coming." It 
seems he carried some sort of stick or 
cane with which he made a light tapping 
sound, and they all knew just who it was. 
On looking at his watch the young man 
saw it was just ten o'clock. This Father 
White was accustomed to do almost every 
evening he was in town. 

Then later on he would walk through 
the streets of the parish, particularly 
where the crowds were apt to be, and if 
he saw any one on the corners he would 
say, "Boys, don't you think it is time to go 
to bed," and they would invariably go. 



106 At the Visitation 

He never had to tell the girls. As soon 
as they saw who it was, off they went. 
Now and then one of the young men 
would be stubborn and refuse to go, but 
after the others were all gone there was 
nothing else to do but go home. 

Being at one of the Visitation picnics, 
he tells of how there would be a group of 
young men together, and there would 
arise an argument on some subject, which 
threatened to become quite heated. While 
they were in the midst of it a man of ath- 
letic build pushed his way through the 
crowd, saying, "Boys, give me a light." 
He got the light and went off, while those 
in the company stopped still and looked at 
one another. Asking who it was, the re- 
ply came, "Father White." By the time 
they had gotten over seeing him the argu- 
ment was forgotten. 

Sometimes it would happen there was a 
"bully" in the company, willing to pick a 
fight with any one, but when this athletic 
man came up and asked, "Who wants to 
fight?" he would soon calm down. 

The houses in the Parish were always 
open to him. At the most unexpected 



At the Visitation 107 

moment he could be expected to stop in. 
In the poorer families he very often made 
his visits at meal times, and if they were 
without food he saw that they got a good- 
ly supply, and if the house was dirty he 
knew how to tell them without a sting. 

A very important work was the build- 
ing of a handsome new school, which was 
dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McDon- 
nell, on the first Sunday of October, 1908. 
This building stands as a monument of 
Dr. White's untiring work and labor, and 
loses nothing by comparison with the best 
schools in the city. It consists of two 
stories, has every well known equipment, 
and the basement is large enough so that 
it can be used as a playground in inclem- 
ent weather. The outside is composed of 
Indiana limestone, and from an artist's 
point of view is considered an imposing 
structure. 

There are some eighteen classrooms, 
and the 800 children who attend the 
school are well accommodated. They are 
taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. 

As Dr. White would wend his way 
through the streets of the parish, going in 



108 At the Visitation 

to see men who were far away from God, 
living lives that were not a credit to them, 
he often fell on his knees in their poor, 
miserable homes, praying that they would 
come back to their God — back to the fold 
of Christ. If they were stubborn, he 
would sorrowfully go away, but imitating 
his Divine Master, he would come back 
again and again. Often he would find 
men 21 and 22 years of age who had never 
received their first Communion. After 
talking with and advising them for a few 
times, he would get them to consent to 
receive the sacrament. 

He was devoted to the confessional, 
and what he preached from the pulpit was 
only what he practiced in his own life, 
and those who heard him felt the inspira- 
tion of his words. He was a real shep- 
herd of his flock, and all loved him. He 
never spared himself where their interests 
were concerned. It can be said of him 
that he was a martyr to the cause, a vic- 
tim of overwork. As for his charity, he 
was often known to take off his coat and 
give it to someone who needed it : "I was 
naked and ye covered me." 






At the Visitation 109 

Monseigneur White was a great be- 
liever in the value of work. He would 
say, "The saints worked ; if we do not, we 
have missed the purpose for which God 
has placed us in the world. We ought not 
to be dreaming of the future and looking 
forward to things that may never take 
place. We ought to be satisfied with 
whatever station God has placed us in in 
life, no matter how humble, doing our 
best, knowing that everything that hap- 
pens is the will of God. Then we will be 
happy. When we serve God, we must 
serve Him whole-heartedly. There must 
be no hidden recesses in our nature for 
anyone else. 

"He knows us, He that created and pre- 
served us. He knows our strength and 
our weakness, what we can do and what 
we cannot do. He has sounded our na- 
ture to a depth that we never suspected. 
He sees the operation of our hearts, and 
so He says, 'I know mine/ There are 
times when our Lord seems to have aban- 
doned us; when we cry out, 'My God, 
my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' 
There are times when the water of in- 



110 At the Visitation 

iquity rises and all but engulfs us, and no 
hand is stretched out to save, no voice is 
raised to direct us; there are times when 
the empire of Satan is proclaimed from 
one end of the soul to the other, and the 
law of flesh becomes the law of the entire 
being, without opposition, almost without 
any great struggle. There are times when 
the heavens seem of brass, and the sun a 
furnace which scorches us, yet all the 
time our dear Lord is near us, knows what 
is going on, watching over us. He will 
not let any real danger come to us, nor 
any real enemy overcome us." 

Nowhere was his death felt more than 
in the Visitation Parish. They truly lost 
a father as well as a friend. But they 
know that God does all things well, and 
it was for some good reason He took 
him, and while they mourn his loss, with 
grateful hearts they thank God that he 
belonged to them, if only for a little while. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

FORMATION OF THE WOMEN'S 

AUXILIARY AND THE LADIES' 

AID SOCIETY. 

IN 1903, acting upon a suggestion made 
by the Right Rev. Bishop McDonnell, 
Dr. White formed an organization known 
as the Women's Auxiliary. He was its 
first President, and at the time of his 
death still held this office. 

This association labors jointly with the 
St, Vincent de Paul Society. The idea 
was to include and strengthen all the or- 
ganizations of the Catholic women of 
Brooklyn who were engaged in active 
charitable work. In this he showed a true 
apostolic zeal — the zeal of a servant work- 
ing for his Master, watching every oppor- 
tunity whereby he could turn to profit 
anything that came in his way, in order 
to prove his love. He believed in the 
maxim, "Where there is unity there is 
strength." A light, if it is to burn bright- 
ly, must be fed. The lamp that is lit in 



112 Women's Auxiliary 

the night requires oil. The oil that we 
can put into the lamp of our lives is the 
love of God. This love ought to so fill our 
hearts that it should set us on fire, make 
lis thirst for the things of God, make us 
love the things He loved, and value this 
T world as He valued it. Who can under- 
stand the beauty of the human soul, who 
<ean realize its destiny? The catechism 
says that the soul is made to the image 
and likeness of God. These were Dr. 
White's sentiments. 

The wide range of the Women's Auxil- 
iary included a number of committees — 
St. Helen's, St. Ann's, Ozanam Home, 
hospitals, asylums, Home for Consump- 
tives, the prisons and the city charities. 

Under his direction the members, who 
were but few in the beginning, multiplied 
In number, until over 250 names appeared 
on the list. 

They met once a month on the second 
Monday, Dr. White presiding at these 
meetings, which he opened with prayer and 
closed with Benediction of the Blessed 
Sacrament. Reports from the different 
committees were read during these ses- 



Women's Auxiliary 113 

sions, and he advised them on all neces- 
sary matters. Love of humanity and re- 
ligion were so united in him that he was 
able to blend the two together in such a 
way as to make all feel that they went 
hand in hand, and a fuller and nobler 
meaning was taken of their work. 

He considered this time well spent, for 
he knew that it would be the means of 
bringing many to the realization that in 
helping their poorer brethren they were 
laying up for themselves treasures in 
heaven, for our dear Saviour has said 
that all that is done for the least of our 
brethren He regards as done for Himself. 

It was chiefly through the efforts of Dr. 
White, under the direction of Right Rev- 
erend Bishop McDonnell, that the Ladies' 
Aid Association was established, for the 
benefit of the Nursing Sisters of the Sick 
Poor. 

His Lordship, the Bishop, visited and 
blessed their little Convent on Clinton 
Street on March 24th, 1906. Dr. White 
had invited a large number of the most in- 
fluential women of the Ladies' Auxiliary 



114 Women's Auxiliary 

Society to be present on this occasion, and 
a great many responded. 

The Bishop blessed the house and then 
addressed the ladies, telling them how the 
French Sisters had come to America ; the 
work they were to commence among the 
sick poor, from which there would be no 
remuneration, and that they would there- 
fore have to depend entirely upon the gen- 
erosity of the Catholic laity. In conclu- 
sion he said he hoped the ladies would do 
everything in their power to see that the 
Sisters were provided for. 

After this the meetings were held regu- 
larly each month. Dr. White was always 
present on these occasions. At the second 
meeting he suggested the formation of a 
committee of 1,000 members. There was 
then an election of a board of officers. 
The membership was $1.00 a year, sus- 
taining membership, $5.00, and life mem- 
bership, $25.00. This contributes toward 
the maintenance of the Sisters. 

The members met together every third 
Monday of the month at the Convent. 
At these meetings a report of the work 
of each month was read, and then two or 






Women's Auxiliary 115 

three of the most interesting cases were 
explained. Dr. White usually gave them 
a short sermon ; sometimes it was on the 
Gospel of the previous day, or some other 
appropriate subject, and at the time of 
his death he was taking up the liturgy of 
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and ex- 
plaining what it all meant. Then he 
would end by giving some friendly ad- 
vice, especially on charity, the flame of 
which burned so brightly and ardently 
within his breast. 

It was a well understood thing with 
him that the greater charity a person has, 
the dearer they are to the Divine Master. 
He spoke so softly, gently, yet withal so 
impressively, that his appeals always met 
with a hearty response. 

He would say that on account of the 
heavy debts that if the committee would 
keep the Sisters supplied with groceries 
it would be a great help. This was al- 
ways done, partly by what is known as 
the "pound package"; that is, at each 
meeting every member would bring a 
pound of this or that. 



116 Women's Auxiliary 

He closed the meetings with Benedic- 
tion of the Blessed Sacrament, at which 
he, like the rest, joined in singing the 
praises of God. 

A few months later he suggested to the 
members of the committee that a euchre 
be gotten up for the benefit of the Sisters. 
Accordingly arrangements were made, 
and a euchre was held in one of the ladies' 
houses. This was a great success, finan- 
cially and otherwise. 

A year later the ladies of the commit- 
tee, together with their friends, held a 
bazaar for the Sisters' benefit. This was 
also very successful, so much so that Dr. 
White recommended that a bazaar or 
fair be given annually, as this would be 
the means of raising money to help pay 
off their debts. 

These meetings were well and faithfully 
attended, and he never failed to inspire 
and encourage them in their work. 

Thus far the membership has not in- 
creased to 1,000, as Dr. White desired it 
should, but the future looks bright, and 
it may be that before long the number 
will have been reached, and one thousand 






Among the Nursing Sisters 117 

generous souls will be carrying on the 
work which he started, but was obliged 
to leave ere he saw its completion. 

He is no longer with this association, 
but no doubt he intercedes with the Di- 
vine Saviour that this work may grow 
and increase. With them he is "gone but 
not forgotten/' 



CHAPTER XV. 

DR. WHITE AMONG THE NURSING 
SISTERS. 

AMONG the many charities in which 
„ Dr. White took an active part there 
was one special Community of Religious 
to whom he gave fatherly assistance. This 
was the Congregation of the Infant Jesus, 
usually known as the Nursing Sisters of 
the Sick Poor. 

A little band of exiled French Sisters 
had come to America on October 29th, 
1905. Bishop McDonnell accepted them 
into his diocese, and made arrangements 
with them to take care of the sick poor in 
their homes, a work very dear to his mu- 



118 Among the Nursing Sisters 

nificent heart, as he well knew the many- 
homes that had been broken up, families 
parted, and made desolate for the want of 
such help. 

In the meantime these Sisters stayed 
with the Little Sisters of the Poor, De- 
Kalb and Bushwick Avenues, where they 
were received and treated kindly for the 
space of six months. Bishop McDonnell 
then told the Sisters to go to St. Peter's 
Rectory on Warren Street, to meet Dr. 
White, Supervisor of Catholic Charities, 
to whom his Lordship had given charge 
to look after their spiritual and temporal 
needs. They accordingly did so, and this 
was the commencement of his work 
among them. They spoke about the work 
they were to take up in the diocese, and 
about a temporary house. Finally the 
Right Reverend Bishop provided them 
temporarily with a small house on Clinton 
Street, of which they took possession on 
March 22d, 1906. 

To them Dr. White was indeed a true 
friend, advising and encouraging them in 
all their trials and difficulties. He was 
greatly interested in their work, for he 



Among the Nursing Sisters 119 

fully realized the good that must spring 
from it, both spiritually and temporally. 

Bishop McDonnell being desirous that 
the Order should grow and expand, made 
arrangements to open a novitiate. In the 
meantime Dr. White, under his direction, 
purchased a large house at the corner of 
Henry and Harrison Streets, which the 
Sisters took possession of April 15th, 1908. 
Dr. White celebrated the first Mass in 
their chapel November 16th, 1908, the 
feast of St. Edmund of Canterbury. 

The Novitiate was formally opened on 
the feast of the Epiphany, 1909, and Dr. 
White was appointed the Spiritual Direc- 
tor by the Bishop, which office he con- 
tinued to hold up to the time of his death. 

How well he fulfilled this duty, and 
how he endeared himself to all the Sis- 
ters, only they could tell. He celebrated 
Mass at their Convent twice a week, 
usually Monday and Thursday. Every 
Sunday, Thursday when he possibly 
could, all holy days of obligation, and the 
feasts of our Divine Lord and our 
Blessed Mother, he gave Benediction of 
the Most Blessed Sacrament. He always 



120 Among the Nursing Sisters 

tried to find a few spare moments each 
day to call and see if there was anything 
that he could do. This is all the more to 
be wondered at and appreciated, when 
one thinks of the very large parish under 
his care, as well as having charge of all 
the Catholic charities. 

On Sundays, and whenever he possibly 
could on Thursdays, he never neglected 
giving instruction to the Sisters. These 
were a source of great encouragement to 
all, and helped to strengthen them in their 
hours of trial and temptation. 

He compared the beginning of the No- 
vitiate with the portion of the ecclesiasti- 
cal year when the hidden life of our Lord 
is commemorated. He said : "There is 
too little stress laid on Nazareth; the 
average Christian is impressed with ac- 
tion, and is unable to understand the 
meaning of the long years that our 
Blessed Saviour spent in the solitude of 
Nazareth. You have realized in some 
measure at least the meaning of those 
years. You have gone aside from the 
world in order to listen more closely to 
the words of our Blessed Saviour; you 



Among the Nursing Sisters 121 

have heard His invitation and you have 
accepted it. Why have you come here? 
Because you want to serve God more per- 
fectly. Because you see Him in the sick, 
in the poor, and in the sorrowful, and you 
would minister to Him. How are you 
going to do this? By imitating our 
Blessed Saviour. This is to be your life- 
work — the imitation of Jesus Christ. He 
must be formed in you. All your medi- 
tations, all your religious practices have 
this object in view. You must imitate 
Him in His life at Nazareth, as well as in 
His public ministry of healing the sick 
and the blind. ,, Then he went on : 

"What is perfection? The love of God, 
which is not possible in this life, for we 
cannot love God enough. Above all 
things I recommend charity unto you, 
which is the bond of perfection, whereby 
we are united to God. It is in the will 'if 
thou wilt be perfect,' our Redeemer says. 

"Mere external force will not make us 
perfect. It consists in keeping the rule. 
The stone thrown in the air goes slower 
as it approaches its termination, but the 
stone dropped to the ground goes faster. 



122 Among the Nursing Sisters 



In one the external principle is at work; 
in the other internal principle. 

" The just shall shine and shall spread 
like fire among weeds.' — Wis. 111-7. 
'Blessed are they who hunger and thirst 
after justice, for they shall be filled.' Jus- 
tice here means holiness. 

"Perhaps we are inclined to be discour- 
aged when we think of the mountains we 
must climb, the heights we must reach 
before we can be united to God in the 
unitive way. Let us not be frightened. 
A good way for us to act is to think con- 
stantly on what we need, in what we are 
deficient, and not on what good we may 
have done. 

"St. Paul to Phil. 111-13— 'I do not 
count myself to have apprehended, but 
one thing I do : forgetting the things that 
are behind, and stretching forth myself to 
those that are before, I pursue towards the 
mark for the prize of the supernal voca- 
tion of God in Christ Jesus/ 

"We must not think on what we did 
yesterday, but on what we have to do to- 
day, to make progress. 



Among the Nursing Sisters 123 

"We must forget the good we have 
done. It is natural to let the eye rest with 
complacency on what is pleasing. The 
sick man in fever tries to find a cool spot 
in bed. So with us. This sort of contem- 
plation leads to vain glory — we get to be 
satisfied with ourselves; we grow tepid 
and turn back. 

"We must think on what is to be done. 
We are to be as merchants trading until 
the Master comes. 

"Every angry word spoken to us; 
every command given to us, is new ma- 
terial for acts of virtue. We may turn 
them into gold. 

"In the work we have set before our- 
selves of rooting out all habits of sin, we 
are helped by the Gospel for the Fourth 
Sunday after Advent. Therein is de- 
scribed the tempest of which the Apostles 
were afraid, and which led them to ex- 
claim 'Lord, save us; we perish/ The 
tempest is a figure of the life of man ; it 
represents the trials and sorrows of life. 
It is a figure of the struggle that is going 
on constantly within. " 



124 Among the Nursing Sisters 

The following is taken from a discourse 
he gave on prayer : 

"There came an angel and stood before 
the altar, having in his hand a gold cen- 
sor, to whom was given a great quantity 
of incense, to the end he should offer up 
the prayers of all the saints upon the altar 
of God, and the smoke of the incense of 
the prayers raised itself from the hand of 
the angel to the presence of God. Apoca. 
VIII— 3:4. 

"St. Thomas says that God from all 
eternity determnied to grant many favors 
through prayer. 

"Sadness and worry are false devotion, 
true devotion consists in peace and joy; 
while we worry and fret about doubts and 
small matters, we might be neglecting 
necessary things, and see mountains, 
where only ant hills exist. Let this be 
our maxim — let nothing trouble us, for 
life is so short, and eternity so long. 

"Let us remember that He created us to 
love and serve Him; the past years in 
which we have not done so are wasted, 
but He is merciful and will help us to be- 
gin anew." 



Among the Nursing Sisters 125 

He tried to impress upon them the fact 
that they must look to God alone for all 
help and consolation, and to have them 
realize that the things of this life are only- 
transitory, and a vain, passing show. He 
taught them that true happiness, as far 
as it can be had here below, is found in 
the love and service of God. He made 
them see what a great favor God had be- 
stowed upon them in selecting them from 
so many out in the world, to become His 
disciples, and live for Him alone, but he 
also told them that the thing most essen- 
tial for advancing in the path of perfec- 
tion, was perseverance. That they must 
not look back on the things they had left 
behind, but each day should see them 
further advanced in the way that was to 
lead them to their eternal salvation. He 
said he did not believe that perfection 
could be acquired in one day, or that we 
should desire to become saints in a day, 
as this would not be lasting. That where 
this happened there would be nothing 
solid ; the result would show a growth of 
nothing better than weeds, and never 
amount to much. True perfection, he 



126 Among the Nursing Sisters 

told them, was gained only by overcom- 
ing ourselves little by little, and that it 
was not necessary to do extraordinary 
things, but to take the little occurrences 
of each day, and try to do them in an 
extraordinary manner, and only with the 
idea of pleasing God better. 

One of his favorite quotations was, 
"Every virtue wins a crown, but perse- 
verance alone is crowned/' 

In one of his instructions he said, "Let 
us live in such a manner that when the 
human heart of Jesus looks for comfort 
and consolation, He will find us ever at 
His side/' and this seemed to be in accord- 
ance with his manner of living. He 
would also say that the courage and 
strength of the Sacred Heart which over- 
came death and hell, belongs to us ; that 
all is placed at our disposal. 

About a week previous to the Feast of 
the Epiphany in 1909, Monseigneur White 
remarked to the Reverend Mother that he 
intended to give the Sisters a surprise on 
this feast day, and to their astonishment 
and delight he appeared wearing his com- 
plete Monseigneural robes, and after the 



Among the Nursing Sisters 127 

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament he 
surprised them still further by saying, "I 
am going to give the French Sisters a 
sermon for themselves not a word will the 
American sisters get in their own lan- 
guage, for they have a conference every 
week, while the French Sisters have not 
heard one in their native tongue since 
their arrival in America, and surely they 
deserve it." How pleasing this thought- 
fulness on his part was to the Sisters 
can readily be imagined, and in this little 
incident we catch a glimpse of the real 
nature of this great man. 

He also did much to help and encour- 
age the Reverend Mother in her trials and 
difficulties. When she seemed almost 
overwhelmed with the cares that sur- 
rounded her on all sides, he would tell her 
not to worry, but to leave everything in 
the hands of God. And it was not an un- 
usual thing when she was unable to see 
Tiow she would meet certain expenses, for 
Tiim to say, "I will make out a check; I 
have a little money in the bank which I 
do not need." 



128 Among the Nursing Sisters 

Besides these talks of a serious nature, 
there was a great deal of pleasure con- 
nected with his visits to the Convent, and 
at the little entertainments the Sisters 
gave, he was always a guest, and enjoyed 
everything to the fullest extent. He used 
to say that he was able to tell better each 
Sister's character after one of these little 
affairs. 

Then he would often pass little jokes, 
which caused no end of merriment. In 
speaking on the subject of obedience one 
evening, he asked one of the Sisters what 
she should do if the Reverend Mother or- 
dered coffee for him, and told her to put 
arsenic in it ; would she do it. The Sister 
becoming slightly embarrassed, answered 
promptly that she would, whereupon 
Father White turned to the Reverend 
Mother, and said, "Don't let this Sister 
prepare any coffee for me." 

At one of their little entertainments 
one of the American Sisters had been se- 
lected to give a recitation in French, but 
she being rather nervous was not very 
successful in the attempt. Monseigneur 
White, appreciating just how she must 



Among the Nursing Sisters 129 

feel under the circumstances, very con- 
solingly remarked, "She has the same ac- 
cent as I have and speaks just as well." 
This caused no end of merriment, and it 
is safe to say this Sister was pretty sure 
of her French before she recited again. 

So pleased was Monseigneur White 
with these little festivals, which were al- 
ways held on the eve of great feasts, that 
when duty obliged him to be away, and 
he could not possibly get back in time, 
he would ask as a particular favor that 
the Sisters would put it off until a later 
date, so as to give him an opportunity of 
being present. This the Sisters con- 
sidered as a great compliment, and it is 
needless to say his request was complied 
with. In fact things would not have 
seemed the same if he were not there, so 
used were they to his company on these 
occasions, and not a little of the success 
of these affairs was due to him. 

The death of Father White was a great 
loss to the Convent. They had grown to 
depend upon his help and fatherly advice, 
and never seemed to realize that a time 
might come when God might want him 



130 Is Made Monseigneur 

for Himself, and that he would have to 
leave them. Still they had been trained 
in a good school, and when the news came 
that he had gone "home," they were able 
to bow their heads and say, "Thy will be 
done. ,, He had always taught them to do 
this in all things, and no matter how hard 
the lesson, it had been well learned, and 
when the time comes that they shall meet 
him again, they know he will say they did 
well. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

DR. WHITE IS MADE 
MONSEIGNEUR. 

THE American College Alumni So- 
ciety left New York City for Naples, 
on the steamer "Carpathia," on or about 
June 10th, 1909, arriving there about June 
22d, and reached Rome four days later. 
Dr. White was a member of the party. 
He was enabled to do this through the 
generosity of his parishioners, who had 
presented him with a purse, with which 
he defrayed most of the expenses of the 
journey. 



Is Made Monseigneur 131 

They all registered at the Hotel de 
Russe, on the Piazza del Popolo. 

During his stay at Rome he would rise 
very early every morning, and celebrate 
Mass at some of the famous sanctuaries. 
He knew well what memories were at- 
tached to each one of them, and he could 
fully understand how lives had been laid 
down for the sake of the Master who had 
thought it nothing to give His life for our 
sake. 

He also celebrated Mass at the tomb of 
St. Peter at the Vatican and the tomb of 
St. Cecilia, and one morning he went out 
beyond the walls of Rome to the Church 
of St. Sebastian on the Appian Way, and 
down into the Catacombs of St. Callista 
nearby, where he said Mass. From the 
Hotel de Russe to the catacombs of St. 
Callista is a distance of six miles ; this pil- 
grimage made on a hot, sultry July morn- 
ing, out into a malarious campagna, gives 
us a little insight into the great faith and 
simple piety of this priest of God. It 
meant a two hours' ride in a very uncom- 
fortable Roman carozza, in order to get 
to the St. Callista Cemetery. 



132 Is Made Monseigneur 

He remained at the Hotel de Russe not 
more than a week, then left for America 
via Naples. It was good to go home and 
get back to work, but he was not in a 
position where he could have many such 
vacations, and there must have been some 
feeling of sadness on leaving such hal- 
lowed ground. 

When our Holy Father, Pope Pius X., 
conferred upon Dr. White the dignity of 
Papal Chamberlain, with the title of Very 
Reverend Monseigneur, he was crossing 
the ocean on his way to America. He 
first heard of the honor paid him when 
he reached New York. It is the custom 
to have a great reception given when a 
title has been conferred, but Monseigneur 
White, as we will now call him, besought 
the Bishop to let the ceremony be private, 
as things of this kind meant nothing to 
him. He had only one ambition in this 
life, and that was to love and serve his 
dear Lord and Master. His great humil- 
ity made him desire no display when don- 
ning the Monseignoral robes. His wish 
was granted, and when he received the 
title and robes that accompany this high 



Is Made Monseigneur 133 

office, there was for him no feeling of 
pleasure, no thrill of exultation, but rather 
he felt humbled and abashed. He re- 
garded them in an impersonal way, just 
as if they had nothing to do with him. 

In one way, however, they meant a 
great deal to him, because he could serve 
the Church better; they gave him a little 
more authority, and he could have a bet- 
ter opportunity of explaining the Catholic 
doctrine to the Protestants and Jews. 
Also in attending the large conferences 
he could make a better representation for 
the Church, and in this way do more ser- 
vice for it. More souls for God was his 
one cry; more sheep to be brought into 
the fold of Christ. 

He always tried to be the most incon- 
spicuous in every gathering of the clergy. 
He kept his coat buttoned up to the top 
when on the street, lest any one might 
notice the difference in the color of his 
rabbi. 

If there was any comfort at all that he 
took from this new office, it was that it 
might give a longer range to his voice, 
and a wider circle of readers of his written 



134 Is Made Monseigneur 

words. Otherwise he would have been 
just as well pleased if some one else had 
the honor in his place. If he had been 
consulted in the matter he would have 
preferred the black robes, but an excep- 
tion could not have been made in his case. 
The Sacred Congregation at Rome in 
1909 elected him Bishop of a group of 
Islands in the Phillipines. He wrote and 
asked to be relieved from this responsi- 
bility, giving for his principal reason that 
he was the only support of his mother in 
her old age. In the meantime he asked 
his friends to "storm heaven" for him, so 
that his reasons might be satisfactory, 
which they were. This was the second 
time he had been offered and refused a 
Bishop's mitre. Had he been alone, this 
would have been a splendid field, a white 
harvest of souls, but duty to his mother 
caused him to put all thought of self aside; 
and besides he had so many souls at home 
who needed his care. 



CHAPTER XVII. 
SOCIALISM AND LABOR. 

MONSEIGNEUR WHITE had made 
an exhaustive study of this subject, 
by reading their most eminent writings, 
and also through interviews with the 
leaders in this movement. By this he 
gained a conception of just what they 
were aiming at. He was not slow to see 
that the different opinions advanced 
would require a great deal of looking in- 
to, before anything definite could be ar- 
rived at. In this matter he was not a 
dreamer or maker of imaginary plans. 
He kept unceasing watch of everything 
that was going on. Close union with 
them gave him an insight clearly into the 
lives of the people; he understood what 
they suffered, and why there was so much 
poverty, crime, and discontentment. 

Although he felt fraternity for all man- 
kind, still he was particularly friendly to- 
ward organized labor, because he knew 
that it was a great institution for the ma- 



136 Socialism and Labor 

terial, intellectual, and spiritual better- 
ment of mankind, and it was in harmony 
with his own high ideals. He sought for 
the fundamental causes, and after finding 
what seemed to him to be the root of the 
evil, he would endeavor to pluck it up. 
He always proclaimed the righteousness 
and wisdom of a living wage for every 
worker, and as a means to that end, and 
for the promotion of social justice, he 
earnestly advocated the trade union move- 
ment. Monseigneur White was not a 
mere sympathiser, but an untiring worker 
in every cause which he could aid or in- 
fluence. He exerted his overtaxed ener- 
gies whenever and wherever there was a 
call for service, going even beyond human 
strength in his zeal for humanity. 

Amid all the activities of his life he was 
an ardent lover and server of the weak and 
poor, and a champion of justice and right- 
eousness. 

Monseigneur White believed that if am- 
bition, pride, lust and laziness could be 
put aside, the good separated from the 
bad, and religious principles practiced, all 
lives would be happier, for religion is the 



Socialism and Labor 137 

helpmate of the poor, and a guide as well 
as a protector of organized effort. In fact 
he taught the need of virtue as well as 
strength. Some people think that to 
change a man's environment, give him a 
living wage, and make him economically 
independent, is all that is needed. Mon- 
seigneur White realized that these 
changes do not make a person virtuous 
or even happy. 

More than one voice has been lifted up 
to chide the Church for its seeming indif- 
ference to the material needs of man. 
She has been so occupied, we are told, in 
pointing the way to heaven and has for- 
gotten that the way lies through a vale 
of tears, through the valley of the shadow 
of death ; that in caring for the immortal 
souls of men, she has neglected their mor- 
tal bodies, but he would have them know 
that the Catholic Church has at heart the 
welfare of the workingman, and is an 
ardent friend of labor. She is in closer 
touch with the poor and suffering than 
any other organization, and is always 
ready and willing to lend a helping hand 



138 Socialism and Labor 

to anything that she thinks would really 
benefit them in any way. 

All social work must be based on some 
theory of the value of life. Whether we 
look on man as the product of chance ele- 
ments, or made for a purpose, whether 
we believe that he has come up slowly 
through the slime and mud of primeval 
ages, or down from the high estate of a 
Son of God, we must have some theory 
about his destiny, and our work for him 
is based on this theory. The Church be- 
lieves that man is made for God. The 
thought of eternity is the thought that is 
uppermost in her mind. It is like the 
golden ground on which the olden mas- 
ters painted their pictures, which lent dig- 
nity and splendor to the figures them- 
selves. The thought of a man's actions 
gives them meaning and value. 

In order to spread his ideas more suc- 
cessfully, Monseigneur White conducted 
a class in Socialism at the Catholic Truth 
Society's office, on Bergen Street. The 
members met once a week at the rooms, 
where he carefully explained to them his 
loftv ideas. His aim was to have several 



Socialism and Labor 139 

men equipped to discuss socialism, and 
speak at the meetings of the Holy Name 
Societies, after making arrangement with 
the Pastors of the churches throughout 
the diocese. At their last meeting held in 
May they made all arrangements to be- 
gin public lectures in the fall, but he died 
before he was able to accomplish what he 
had in view. 

It is safe to say there was not a man 
more interested in the uplift of mankind 
than was Dr. White. He did not plunge 
headlong into the struggle between capi- 
tal and labor, but made it a study so that 
he would know well what he was aiming 
at in his defense of the oppressed. His 
firm belief in justice, and his deep sym- 
pathy for the poor, made him strong in 
his determination to do what he could for 
the betterment of their condition. 

No wonder then that he could go into 
any workingmen's meeting, and speak to 
them like a brother. He had their love 
and trust. No matter how ignorant they 
might be, they had hearts, and instinct 
told them that he was their friend. There 



140 Socialism and Labor 

was nothing in it for him, only to see their 
lives made happier. 

His great knowledge of socialistic af- 
fairs, his familiarity with economic laws, 
and the cost of living, and his close inti- 
macy with the lives of the working peo- 
ple, all combined to make him a leader 
and guide of the workingman. 

He never forgot his priestly office, and 
if at times it seemed as if circumstances 
might cause them to swerve from the 
right, he was never afraid to bring before 
their mind the image of the crucified 
Christ. 

He would tell them that he had nothing 
to claim their attention except the spirit 
of Christ in his heart. That he had no 
other thought in the world but love for 
them, the love of the heart of his Master. 
He said he was not trifling with their 
bodies or souls, neither did he want their 
money. 

He thought it was not enough to tell 
the workingmen that the Catholic Church 
was their church, but it must be proved 
by deeds. That character is indeed of 
more importance than a decent standard 



Socialism and Labor 141 

of living, and the Church teaches the 
truths and exhorts the practice of the 
virtues that form character, but that it 
may be practically impossible for some 
to recognize the beauty of these virtues. 

It was sentiments such as these that 
gave him his great power over the work- 
ingman, and helped do away with a great 
deal of the discontent which existed. He 
would have them not be dejected or de- 
spairing, but stand with an even mind, re- 
signed to the will of God, and bear for the 
glory of God whatever should befall them, 
for after winter comes summer; after 
night the day comes, after a storm there 
follows a great calm. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

HIS INTERIOR LIFE. 

AS to his interior life, the hidden life 
l of this noble man, what description 
can poor human mortals give of it? Some 
slight conception of it, however, can be 
formed from the expression of his ideas, 
as well as from the work that he did while 
amongst us. He was a man of God. He 
was simple, with the heart of a little child ; 
generosity was a failing with him ; he had 
an over-abundance of it, and combined 
with it was a tireless zeal in behalf of his 
brethren. His was too honorable a na- 
ture to do anything for the sake of being 
esteemed, but even at the cost of being 
misunderstood in this regard he did what 
he thought was right. He was unselfish 
to a fault, and cared nothing for the opin- 
ion of the world. 

There was a certain joyousness about 
him which seemed to come from within, 
and his happy, merry laugh clearly 
showed the depth of love in his soul. 






His Interior Life 143 

And what can be said of his piety? 
Only that he was of a profoundly spiritual 
nature, and his unceasing communion 
with God, his entire dependence upon 
Him, give us the secret of his life. Ser- 
mons may be preached, his works extolled 
from every platform and pulpit, praise 
may be given of his different qualities, 
but be this as it may, above all this, rising 
like a shining light, is the fact that he was 
truly a follower of Christ. He knew 
nothing outside of the law of God; his 
whole being was centered on it; from it 
radiated his every action, his every pulse 
beat. Day and night it was the one thing 
uppermost in his mind. He lived in close, 
sweet relationship with his Master. Not 
much time was allowed him for prayer or 
private exercises, but his heart always be- 
ing open and ready to grasp the slightest 
flame of divine grace, he was able, even 
in the midst of his busy life, to live in an 
atmosphere of heavenly joy and love. 
Wherever he was, in hotels, traveling by 
rail or by water, whether home or abroad ; 
in the discussion of serious business mat- 
ters, or at some social affair; in a word, 



144 His Interior Life 

wherever he chanced to be, nothing 
stopped the current of love that was ever 
streaming into his soul from his Creator. 
Wherever he went, either on business or 
for a short rest, which was often badly 
needed, he never failed to hunt up some 
place where he could celebrate Mass. 
Places where it would have seemed im- 
possible to others to find an altar, hidden 
in the heart of little country towns, or in 
parts of great cities where it would seem 
least likely to be found, he would discover 
his Master's abode, and there pay his 
homage. 

This then is the great keynote of his 
life, explaining his character, and how in 
his relations with men and women in 
every walk of life he was able to keep his 
great humility, his modesty, his patience, 
his simplicity, his charity, and it explains 
also his great love for his fellow man. 
He saw in his brethren the image of Jesus 
Christ, and with it the vision of the life 
to come, so that with this engraven on 
his mind he fully realized that all this 
world offered was as nothing if not close- 
ly allied with the law of the Creator, hav- 



His Interior Life 145 

ing for its end the eternal happiness of 
man. 

With this in view the flattery of men 
meant nothing to him ; neither did he care 
for honors, whether ecclesiastical or 
otherwise. Money meant nothing to him. 
As far as it was concerned he could not 
get enough, in order to use it for his poor, 
and the furtherance of the glory of God, 
but as for himself, he wanted none. 

It can readily be seen that a man of his 
position must naturally be brought fre- 
quently before the public, and no mattei 
how r desirous he was of passing unnoticed, 
yet his name was continually to be seen 
in the newspapers. At one time it would 
be in defence of the Church; at another 
time he attended some important meeting, 
then again he would be giving a lecture. 
This was the cause of many uncharitable 
remarks, such as, "He wants to have his 
name in the papers — he likes to be well 
known/' 

Such remarks as these, particularly 
from those whom he felt should have 
known him better, naturally gave him 
pain. Yet even when he heard these un- 



146 His Interior Life 

kind remarks; knew he was being judged 
wrongly, and that the ambition and hon- 
ors he was being represented as seeking 
had no part with him, they caused no flush 
of anger to rise to his cheeks. 

Whenever he saw his name in the pa- 
pers it would appear to him like someone 
else. 

There was no vain glory, no pride. In 
any assemblage he would be found in an 
obscure corner until he was with difficul- 
ty brought to light. Yet underneath his 
modest and humble exterior he was a 
"fighter," and he was always ready for 
battle in the interest of truth and justice, 
and he never left the fight until victory 
was won. 

This spirit is no doubt what made him 
so attractive and endeared him to the 
hearts of men. While he was very firm, 
and never gave way when he knew he 
was in the right, yet he never could toler- 
ate anything that savored of brutality or 
harshness. His nature was one of ex- 
teme gentleness. The pure minded, those 
whose hearts beat in unity with God, 
those and those alone were able to under- 









His Interior Life 147 

stand what he did, and why he was doing 
it. 

And where did he get this unfailing 
strength, the strength which enabled him 
to overcome all obstacles, to face his ene- 
mies (which no matter how hard one may- 
try, one is bound to have in a position 
such as his), and never to falter until he 
had accomplished his end? It was in the 
Tabernacle, and even now, if it were pos- 
sible for him to speak, he would tell us to 
get our help there. Kneeling before 
God's altar all earthly cares would van- 
ish, and he drew, as if from a secret 
spring, strength and courage which en- 
abled him to surmount all his difficulties. 
And as far as his enemies were concerned, 
was he any different from his Master? 
He too had enemies ; he too had been mis- 
understood. And in the realization of 
this truth such enemies served to act only 
as a crown of glory. Still he was human, 
and there was some pain. 

Yet with all he was happy, and the 
harder he worked, the more souls he won 
for Christ; no matter how much of his 
time and strength it required to do it, the 



148 His Interior Life 

happier he became. He was always beg- 
ging for prayers to help him in his under- 
takings. "Storm Heaven for me" was 
one of his favorite expressions, and again 
he would say, "I want to work for God 
and God alone." 

Then he would say, "Keep me in your 
thoughts when you make your visit to our 
Blessed Lord. I want to work for Him. 
I don't care what crosses He sends, if 
only I may work with a heart that beats 
for Him." 

He was so full of love for mankind, he 
had such a yearning for them, that they 
were ever uppermost in his mind. On 
one occasion he wrote, "I recommend to 
you again the people I meet. As I go 
through the days the Incarnation takes on 
a different meaning. We preach of the 
love of Christ. We do not even know the 
meaning of that word. There is one text 
constantly on my lips, 'Misereor super 
turbam' — I have compassion on the mul- 
titude. This is the keynote of the Gospel, 
and it keeps me from falling into the 
slough of despair when I see conditions 
in the world to-day." 






His Interior Life 149 

At another time he says, "We had a 
large number at Holy Communion during 
the past three days — I want every soul in 
the parish to feel the love Jesus Christ has 
for them." 

He was forever speaking on the Holy 
Sacrifice of the Mass. This his people can 
attest. In a letter he wrote, "The older I 
get the dearer the Mass is to me." God 
is good to me in this; He has lifted the 
veil just a little, and I can see the glory 
beyond." None ever doubted this after 
seeing him celebrate Mass. 

Another instance of God's love for him 
is shown while at a retreat in 1911, the 
last he is known to have made. While 
kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, 
pouring out his heart to his Divine Mas- 
ter, he heard a voice saying, "William, 
lovest thou me?" His reply was, "Lord 
I dare not say that I love Thee, but I will 
love Thee." We can well understand how 
God, jealous of losing such a soul, took 
this means of uniting him more closely to 
Himself. So carefully did he guard this 
precious secret that at the time of. his 
death only one or two of his dearest 



150 



His Interior Life 



friends in the priesthood knew the favor 
that had been granted him by Almighty 
God. 

In conversation one day he said to a 
certain priest in the diocese, "If God did 
not wish me to be a saint he would not 
have created me." 

Only a few privileged ones were allowed 
a glimpse into the depths of his soul, and 
those who were so favored can thank God 
for it. The memory will last forever. 
He was simple and approachable to 
everyone. 

All this only goes to show what God 
can do for a soul that trusts in Him, and 
looks to Him for counsel. May it be a 
lesson for us ; may we try to follow in his 
path, in such a way that we may say with 
him, "If I can help ever so little in show- 
ing souls the beauty of God's love, I feel 
I shall not have lived in vain." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

HIS LAST ILLNESS. 

WHILE preparing to return from a 
conference he had attended in Bos- 
ton, Monseigneur White, in closing his 
hand bag, caught and bruised his finger, 
causing him intense pain. Arriving at 
the Convent of the Infant Jesus, where he 
gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacra- 
ment, it being the feast day of the Rev- 
erend Mother Superior, June 13th, 1911, 
he spoke to her of the pain he suffered 
from his finger, and she advised him to 
see a physician that same evening and 
have it dressed. This he accordingly did, 
but obtained no relief. 

The next morning he came to the Con- 
vent and said Mass as usual, after which 
he said to the Reverend Mother, "I passed 
a sleepless night and suffered great pain." 
She then told him he should have it 
opened by the doctor. This was done, 
and it was dressed each morning and 
evening by the doctor, and for a few 



152 His Last Illness 

nights it was kept wet continually with a 
strong solution of corrosive sublimate. 
Gradually it improved, and in about ten 
days it seemed almost healed. 

During all this time he suffered with 
severe headaches, loss of appetite, and 
high temperature. Then a boil appeared 
on the back of his head. From this he. 
suffered such pain that he was unable to 
sleep at night, and as a precaution the 
doctor now administered antitoxin, but 
this did not give any relief. 

There must have been some infection, 
and the poison was carried through the 
system, and finally located in his head. 
A second and third boil appeared, and the 
physician then decided that he must have 
recourse to more heroic means. An in- 
cision was made, and the wound packed 
and dressed. This still gave no relief, 
then the dressing was done twice a day, 
and the doctor had him keep dressings of 
hot corrosive sublimate solutions to it at 
night. Finally, two or three more incis- 
ions were made, but with no better result. 

It seems the incision was made in the 
form of a cross. Monseigneur White used 



His Last Illness 153 

to jokingly call it the crucial, and it cer- 
tainly looked as if God had taken this 
means to imprint his cross in him. 

Although he suffered intense pain, and 
passed sleepless nights, he still continued 
as many of his duties as he possibly could. 
In fact he did more than he should, for at 
his last appearance at the Holy Name 
rally, at Westbury, L. I., on Sunday after- 
noon, July 16th, 1911, a little over a month 
after the accident, he had a temperature 
of 103 or 104. 

The severe pain that he suffered, to- 
gether with the loss of sleep, weakened 
his constitution, and feeling no longer 
able to continue his duties he gradually 
gave them up. Monday, August 7th, he 
was so ill that he was unable to rise and 
celebrate Mass, but was compelled to re- 
main in bed. On account of the temper- 
ature he had been running and the symp- 
toms, the physicians all thought he might 
have typhoid. 

The next morning, Tuesday, he was re- 
moved to the Holy Family Hospital, and 
Dr. Janeway, the eminent New York spe- 
cialist, was called in consultation the fol- 



154 His Last Illness 

lowing day. It was then agreed that an 
operation was necessary, as it was found 
the inflammation had spread, and was 
now localized in the kidneys. According- 
ly he was prepared and operated upon 
August 10th. 

For a few days his friends kept up a 
little hope that he would get well ; then as 
they saw that he was gradually getting 
weaker they began to realize that such 
was not the will of God. The disease had 
made such rapid progress that a second 
consultation was held, and it was decided 
that another operation would be necessary 
to save Monseigneur White's life, but his 
already weakened condition, together with 
the shock of the first operation, left him 
unable to stand the effects of another. 
Then, too, his whole system was flooded 
with the poison, and he was too weak to 
fight against it. All hope of his recovery 
was now past. 

He did not have any idea that death 
was so near, as there was so much he 
wanted to do for his dear Creator — so 
many souls he wanted to bring back to 
Him, and he thought that after a rest of 



His Last Illness 155 

several months he would be able to con- 
tinue his work, and then he would labor 
more ardently than ever, for he felt that 
true love of God meant that we must love 
our neighbor, and do all in our power to 
bring them to realize the importance of 
living in close communion with God. 

About a week previous to his death, 
Monseigneur White asked to have his 
confessor, Father Schroeder, come to the 
hospital to see him. This he did, and 
after hearing his confession they had a 
long talk together, and in course of the 
conversation, Father Schroeder remarked 
that his illness did not necessarily mean 
that he was going to die. Dr. White re- 
plied that if it was to be he was willing, 
and asked that he might be anointed, and 
as the Sacrament of Extreme Unction was 
being administered, Father Schroeder was 
much edified at the way all the prayers 
were answered. He spoke in a clear voice, 
and seemed perfectly resigned to God's 
will in his regard. At first the thought 
of his death must have been a great sur- 
prise to him; who can tell what feelings 
surged up in his poor heart, for he had 



156 His Last Illness 

planned to do so much for his beloved 
Saviour, and now he was going to leave 
it all. 

Father Schroeder made a second visit 
to him about a day and a half before his 
death. As he sat at the bedside talking, 
Father White said, "Maybe I'll come out 
all right." Father Schroeder told him to 
put his trust in God, and the reply was, 
"That is what I always do." 

Father Schroeder was called to the 
hospital Monday evening, about four 
hours previous to the death of Dr. White. 
He found him lying very quiet, and when 
he took his hand he looked up at him. 
Father Schroeder told him to put all his 
hope in Our Blessed Mother, and he re- 
plied, "That is what I am doing." He 
then blessed him, and Monseigneur White 
signed himself with the sign of the cross. 
As he left the room Father Schroeder 
looked back, and saw that his head was 
bowed. 

He did not lose consciousness until 
11.30 P. M., and at 2.05 A. M., Tuesday 
morning, August 29th, after the prayers 
for the dying had been said, and they were 



His Last Illness 157 

reading the Matins of the day's office, it 
being the feast of the beheading of St. 
John the Baptist, his pure soul took its 
flight to God. A few moments before he 
expired his lips parted slightly, and a 
sweet smile came over his face, his eyes 
being directed straight ahead, and seem- 
ingly fixed on something — possibly it was 
our Blessed Mother who came to bring 
lier devoted client home. 

This happy ending of his noble life only 
goes to prove that the victory was not 
given to death. What a beautiful thing- 
it is to watch a good man die. There are 
no terrors; just a soft peaceful passing 
from one land to another. 

Death is swallowed up in victory; 
O Death where is thy victory, 
O Death where is thy sting? 

Those present at the time were his 
mother, Rev. Dr. James J. Higgins of 
Long Island City, Rev. Dr. Wm. F. Mc- 
Ginnis of Westbury, L. I., and the Rev. 
J. B. Gorman, and Rev. Thomas Casey, 
assistants at the Visitation Church. 

His mother watched him go with a 
heart full to overflowing. Not only did 



158 His Last Illness 

she lose the support and mainstay of her 
declining years, but he had been her com- 
panion as well. Not a Sunday passed, un- 
less he was out of the city, that he did not 
have supper with her; he was her boy 
then. And now he was taken from her. 
But she loved God too much not to know 
that He had a good and just reason for 
taking him, and while it was hard, yet 
she could only remember and say with 
Mary at the foot of the cross, "All ye who 
pass by stop and see if there be any sor- 
row like unto mine. ,, Mrs. White is a 
noble example of womankind. It is such 
as she who have "their light hid under a 
bushel, ,, and the world knows nothing of 
their existence. Only the One who sees 
and reads all hearts, could tell where they 
are to be found. 

His remains were brought to the Rec- 
tory of the Visitation Church before noon 
of the same day. Here his friends and 
parishioners kept constant vigil around 
the casket, offering up to God all the 
prayers of their grateful hearts, for one 
who had been such a true friend and lov- 
ing father. 



Obsequies 159 

The news of his death was received 
with great surprise as well as sorrow. 
All had been looking forward to a great 
future for him, and now he had been cut 
down in the prime of life, surely a lesson 
to all to be prepared, for we know not the 
day nor the hour. 



T 



CHAPTER XX. 

OBSEQUIES. 

HURSDAY morning, the day of the 
funeral, was dark and dreary. The 
rain descended in torrents, and it looked 
as if heaven and earth were mourning 
the loss of this faithful servant of God. 
At 9.30 the Divine services commenced, 
beginning with the Office for the Dead. 
Immediately after the Solemn Pontifical 
Requiem Mass was celebrated by a class- 
mate of his, the Right Rev. George W. 
Mundelein, D. D., Auxiliary Bishop of 
Brooklyn, the Right Reverend Monseig- 
neur Thomas Taaffe, Rector of St. Pat- 
rick's Church, assisting. The Rev. James 
J. Higgins, D. D., Rector of St. Rita's 



160 Obsequies 

Church of Long Island City, acted as 
Deacon at the Mass, and Rev. Joseph W. 
Sweeny was the sub-deacon, the Rev. 
Thomas Quinn and Rev. George Tyson, 
being the Masters of Ceremony. The 
sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. 
McGinnis of St. Brigid's Church, West- 
bury, L. I., who had been an intimate 
friend of Monseigneur White. We quote 
a few extracts from the sermon of Dr. 
McGinnis : 

"As the beautiful and expressive prayers 
for the dying were said, and as we read in 
the Matins of the Tuesday's Office, 'The 
Beheading of John the Baptist/ the first 
antiphon of the first noctum, Tn lege 
Domini fuit voluntas ejus die ad nocte/ 
I gazed from the breviary to him whose 
death struggles were well nigh ended, and 
thought, surely this antiphon is a fitting 
epitome of our beloved brother in Christ.. 
'His will was fixed in the law of the Lord, 
day and night/ These words may well 
serve as our text. You will find in them 
the secret of the charming personality, 
the profound virtue, and the marvelous- 
activity of Dr. White." 



Obsequies 161 

Speaking of his detachment from 
money, Dr. McGinnis said: 

"You can readily conceive my heartfelt 
gratitude to God, when five hours before 
his death in answer to my question as to 
any instructions he might wish to give re- 
garding his temporal affairs, he smiled 
and said, 'I think my insurance policy 
will support mother, and I may have 
about three hundred dollars in the bank/ 
There was the true priest of Jesus Christ, 
the man of God ! No wonder that such a 
one went to his Master without fear, no 
wonder that such a man could go into 
gatherings of workingmen and with a 
clean heart, and speak to them as a father 
and a brother. They knew him, they 
loved him, and they trusted him." 

In concluding his sermon, he said, "One 
may ask is not this picture of Dr. White 
too highly colored; have we not drawn 
too largely upon our friendship? We 
have spoken, dearly beloved, of the man 
and the priest as we knew him, nor have 
we exaggerated in one detail. But yes, 
we have found what some might call a 
flaw — 'he worked himself to death.' He 



162 Obsequies 

would be foolish who slaved night and 
day over the counter that he might amass 
a mountain of gold, he would be a fool 
who spent laborious days and feverish 
nights to gain the passing plaudits of the 
multitude, he would be unwise who toiled 
incessantly and wrecked the mortal frame 
in pursuit of worldly honors, but not he 
whose 'will was in the law of God day 
and night/ 

"Not folly but supernal wisdom was 
his who gave his all, 'who spent and was 
spent for Christ' " 

Among those present within the sanc- 
tuary and occupying the first four pews 
of the church, were a number of Mon- 
seigneuri, and over 150 priests, of whom 
there would have been as many more 
present, except that they were on retreat, 
and the balance of the church was filled 
with his bereaved friends and parishion- 
ers. 

The remains of Dr. White rested on a 
catafalque, they being robed in full vest- 
ments. 

Bishop McDonnell was not present, 
owing to his absence in Rome. 



Obsequies 163 

Among the clergy present were Right 
Rev. George W. Mundelein, D. D., Aux- 
iliary Bishop; Rt. Rev. Mgr. George Kau- 
pert, Junior Vicar General of the diocese ; 
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Patrick J. Hayes, D. D., 
Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New 
York; Rt. Rev. Mgr. Francis H. Wall, 
D. D., and the Very Rev. Mgr. J. N. Con- 
noly of Manhattan; Very Rev. Mgr. Al- 
phonsus Arcese ; Rt. Rev. Mgr. Dennis J. 
McMahon, D. D., Supervisor of Catholic 
Charities, New York; Rt. Rev. Mgr. 
Thomas Taaffe; Rev. James J. Higgins, 
D. D., Rev. William F. McGinnis, D. D., 
Rev. Dr. Fitzgerald, Danbury Conn.; 
Rev.Wm. Temple, St. Elizabeth's Church, 
Wilmington, Delaware ; Very Rev. P. H. 
McHale of New York; Rev. Father Mc- 
Loughlin, Stamford, Conn.; Rev. Father 
Flannery, Rev. Father Belford, and also 
a number of clergymen from Philadelphia 
and other cities, as well as from all over 
his own diocese. All the religious com- 
munities were largely represented. 

His body was brought to the church the 
evening before the funeral, and guard was 
kept over it by the members of the Holy 



164 Obsequies 

Name Society, while throngs of sorrowing 
people from all over the city passed down 
the aisles and took a last look at him 
whom they had so much loved. 

By far the most pathetic sight was to 
see his mother, she who had been the 
nearest and dearest in the world to him, 
and who had been the means of his ac- 
complishing the dearest wish of his heart, 
that of becoming a priest of the Most 
High, and now she was left alone. 

There was also present people promi- 
nent in every sphere of life, from the 
highest to the lowest, Jew, Gentile, Prot- 
estant and Catholic. 

Delegates were present from the St. 
Vincent de Paul Conference of Boston, 
Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and 
all the different charitable committees 
and associations. The Veteran Corps of 
the 14th Regiment was also present. 

The final absolution was given by Bishop 
Mundelein, then the coffin was lowered, 
and all who wished to see the remains for 
the last time were permitted to do so. 
This took some time, as the church was 
crowded, people standing out in the rain, 



Obsequies 165 

being unable to gain admittance to the 
services, but lines were formed in the side 
aisles, and the people passed thence up to 
the middle aisle where the body was laid, 
and all had an opportunity to see him be- 
fore the earth hid him from view. The 
last to take leave of him was his dear old 
mother, but we will close our eyes to this 
touching scene. 

As the funeral cortege passed slowly 
through the streets of the parish, the 
crowds who were waiting, in spite of the 
inclemency of the weather, all bowed 
their heads in silent tribute, for to them 
he had been more than a father. Men of 
riches stood shoulder to shoulder with the 
workmen who had thrown down their 
tools, and all waited with bared heads for 
the hearse to pass , and tears fell from 
every eye, for he had been the same to all. 
He had known no rank or distinction in 
his dealings with his people. 

The remains were then borne to Holy 
Cross Cemetery for interment. As the 
casket was lowered into the grave, the 
Benedictus and De Profundis were chant- 
ed, the final prayers recited by Monseig- 



166 Conclusion 

neur Taaffe; then the American flag was 
placed at the head of the grave, and three 
volleys were fired by a squad of the Vet- 
eran Corps of the 14th Regiment. 

Then all sorrowfully returned to their 
homes leaving him to sleep his peaceful 
sleep. 

He has had the benefit of over 2,500 
Masses since his death. 



T 



CHAPTER XXI. 
CONCLUSION. 

HE death of Monseigneur White was 
felt not only throughout the whole 
diocese of Brooklyn, but far beyond. The 
position he held, his pleasing manners, 
combined with his great activity, his high, 
honorable principles, and deep religious 
spirit, all found for him an abiding place 
in the hearts not only of the Catholics, but 
of those of every creed. They all looked 
up to him with reverence and affection. 
Still all the good he had been doing was 
not fully realized until God called him to 
his eternal reward ; then all began to see 



Conclusion 167 

more and more that they had lost a friend 
indeed. 

God alone knows the good he did: the 
many souls saved; the kindly advice and 
encouraging words given ; the homes kept 
together by help from his limited means, 
or made brighter and happier through his 
influence, and the desolate hearts cheered 
by his consoling words. 

When the news of his death came many 
openly rebelled, claiming it was an injus- 
tice on the part of Almighty God; some 
prayed, and others wondered why it was 
that he should be cut down in all the 
strength of his noble manhood — in the 
very prime of life. Was it to teach us to 
be prepared, or was it to recompense him 
for all his labors and trials? We know 
not; God's ways are not ours. We all 
looked forward to a great future for him, 
yet God knows best why He called him 
Home. His life, though short, was not 
lived in vain, for he lived a long time in 
a short space. But now his labors, sor- 
rows and woes are over; he has gone to 
his eternal home, never more to be sepa- 
rated from his dear Master, for whom he 



168 Conclusion 

had striven so ardently and zealously to 
win souls. He was indeed a true disciple, 
one who forgot self entirely, of whom it 
may be said, "He lived, not himself, but 
Christ lived in him," and close to the 
great white throne of God he will have 
an eternal resting place. 

The working men have lost a friend, 
and no doubt his loss will be felt more by 
them than those in the other walks of 
life, for he had made the labor question 
one of his chief studies, and realizing the 
true needs of the workers, had wisely 
counselled and given them all the help he 
possibly could. In this way he had un- 
knowingly endeared himself to them in an 
especial manner. The memory of his 
work among them will be a constant 
source of encouragement in their hours 
of trial and temptation, and many of those 
who were on the downward path, and 
were snatched back by his saving hand, 
will be the means of helping some erring 
brother, thus carrying on the work he was 
obliged to leave undone. 

And what shall we say of the boys and 
girls, who for some slight misdemeanor 



Conclusion 169 

or waywardness, it was found best to 
send to Homes for a time. He was their 
friend; he seemed to understand their 
poor human weaknesses, and no words of 
condemnation was ever heard from his 
lips. Only words of encouragement, bid- 
ding them hope, for with God's help, he 
would tell them, they should start out 
afresh. They will miss him, as will the 
orphan children, to whom he was a kind 
and loving father. 

Monseigneur White's life was an ex- 
ample to the clergy. He was a pious 
priest of God. He gave his life for Jesus 
Christ. He came to cast fire upon the 
earth. He gave all to find all. He was a 
good and faithful laborer in the Vineyard. 
He never shirked his work. He never 
grumbled. Urged by the charity of 
Christ he worked in season and out of 
season. He gave his life to the Master 
as freely as he had given his toil and time. 

His loss was also greatly felt by the 
Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor, whose 
Spiritual Director he had been. It was 
hard at first to realize that their guide 
and Father had been taken from them, 



170 Conclusion 

and as the days went by they more and 
more understood what he had been, and 
how much he had done for them. Still 
God had wanted him for himself, and put- 
ting all their hope and trust in Him, could 
only say with full and sad hearts, "Thy 
will is best." 

We must bring our book to a close, 
although with a feeling that only a little 
part of the history of this great man has 
been told, but we must not forget here 
to thank the dear Lord for lending the 
world, if only for a few years, a man like 
Monseigneur White. He was one of the 
fairest flowers of His garden, and no 
wonder He wanted him back ere he was 
withered and grown old. 

Then we want to thank his dear mother 
for having helped make him what he was. 
As step by step he climbed the ladder of 
fame, the more proudly he told how 
his mother had labored to give him a 
chance. It was this love which made 
him refuse the mitre, for such had been 
offered to him. Next to God she was His 
first thought. She is all alone now, but 
this makes little difference to her. She is 



Conclusion 171 

made of the stuff from which heroes are 
formed. Just as when a young man she 
bade him go and be a priest in his Mas- 
ters service, so she gave him up when 
the call came. The Lord gave : the Lord 
taketh away ; blessed be the name of tfie 
Lord. 



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